Chikumbutso Salima’s late strike sealed FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ historic first victory at Dedza Stadium, edging Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos 1-0 on Wednesday afternoon to keep our flawless record alive in the 2025 TNM Super League.
After a two-week pause in league action due to Malawi National Team commitments, Bullets returned to competitive play in Dedza, determined to secure all three points despite a host of missed chances, particularly in an enterprising first half.
Salima’s decisive strike in the 89th minute was the breakthrough Bullets needed to finally put an end to our winless league run at Dedza Stadium.
The opening half…
Peter Mponda made several changes to his starting lineup from the team that defeated Creck Sporting Club in the Airtel Top 8 two weeks ago, opting to leave Blessings Joseph and Babatunde Adepoju on the bench. Clyde Senaji was handed his first start this season, while Andrew Jovinala also returned to the First XI.
Just nine minutes in, Wongani Lungu squandered a golden opportunity, sending his effort over the bar from a pinpoint Salima delivery.
Bullets dominated possession and pressed relentlessly, forcing the home team into a defensive shell as they sought to weather the early storm.
Lungu came close again in the 18th minute after we earned a free kick outside the box, but his attempt ricocheted off the wall and out for a corner that Lughano Kayira confidently defended.
At this stage, Andrew Bunya’s side had yet to threaten Bullets’ goal, while at the other end, Chawanangwa Gumbo saw his 22nd-minute effort ruled out for offside by the assistant referee.
In a bid to sharpen the attack, Mponda introduced Babatunde for Maxwell Phodo in the 23rd minute.
Halfway through the opening 45, Babatunde nearly put Bullets ahead after skillfully evading Kayira, only to see his effort strike the post.
Dedza almost capitalized on that miss when Chifuniro Mpinganjira tested Richard Chimbamba with a strike that hit the upright, forcing Jovinala to clear the danger.
Bullets continued to pile on the pressure, but in quick succession, Babatunde missed two clear chances inside the box — the first a wayward header from a Gumbo cross, the second a close-range shot brilliantly saved by Donnex Mwakasinga, with Kayira mopping up the danger.
Despite our dominance, The People’s Team couldn’t break the deadlock before halftime. After the interval, Mponda made another attacking change, bringing on Hassan Kajoke for Lungu.
The second half…
The second half started more sluggishly for Bullets, who found themselves second best as Dedza Dynamos grew into the contest.
With midfield possession slipping, Mponda turned to Frank Willard, who replaced Yankho Singo in a bid to regain control.
Babatunde did find the net but was denied by the assistant referee’s offside flag.
On the 70-minute mark, Bullets won back-to-back set pieces in advanced positions, but Dedza’s backline, marshaled by Kayira, stood firm.
Time was running out, as Babatunde narrowly missed the target again, his shot drifting inches wide of Mwakasinga’s left post.
Seeking a late impact, Mponda introduced Ernest Petro and Ephraim Kondowe for Kajoke and Jovinala in the 80th minute. Still, Dedza stubbornly resisted any breakthrough.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 89th minute. Blessings Mpokera linked up with Kondowe, who played the ball out wide to Babatunde on the right flank. The Nigerian wasted no time, cutting the ball back to Salima, who shrugged off his marker and coolly finished past the onrushing Mwakasinga to give us a deserved 1-0 lead.
Bullets expertly managed the closing stages, although late drama ensued when Otchaya Okote was shown a red card for violent conduct against our captain, Lloyd Aaron.
When the final whistle blew, we finally secured our first-ever league win against Dedza Dynamos on their home turf since their promotion to the top-flight at the start of the 2022 season.
What it means…
This triumph also marked Bullets’ first league victory at Dedza Stadium since 2012, the year the venue began hosting Super League matches.
Bullets now lead the table with 12 points from four games, netting 13 goals while conceding just once.
What next…
On Sunday afternoon, Bullets will host Chitipa United at Kamuzu Stadium for another league match.
