FCB Nyasa Big Bullets suffered their second TNM Super League defeat of the season following a 2-1 loss to Civil Service United on Saturday afternoon, ending the club’s longest unbeaten run in the league against a Lilongwe-based side.
Peter Mponda’s men came into the fixture aiming to maintain their dominance over Abbas Makawa’s side and strengthen their position at the top of the league table. Meanwhile, Civil, stuck in the bottom three, were desperate for points.
First Half
From the outset, the hosts showed intent, pressing high and disrupting Bullets’ build-up play. Civil’s quick transitions and aggressive counter-pressing limited Bullets to zero goal attempts in the opening half—evidence of the hosts’ well-organised approach.
The first real threat came from Frank Chizuze, whose strike from inside the area was deflected out for a corner by Yamikani Mologeni. Shortly after, Damiano Kunje delivered a dangerous free-kick that was cleared by Frank Willard.
Civil continued to pile pressure and nearly found the opener in the 31st minute when Blessings Malinda broke into the box and forced Richard Chimbamba into a routine save.
Sensing a need for more attacking urgency, Mponda introduced Lameck Gamphani in place of Hassan Kajoke in the 36th minute. Soon after, Bullets had a rare opportunity when Babatunde Adepoju beat the offside trap but failed to make it count, losing the ball to John Dambuleni with teammates Phodo and Gamphani in support.
Just before halftime, a costly error from Chiwaya gifted Kunje possession, who quickly released Chikaiko Batison. However, the Civil forward blasted his one-on-one effort over the bar, and the first half ended goalless.
Second Half
It took just three minutes after the restart for Civil to take the lead. Chiwaya conceded a foul on the left, and Kunje’s delivery into the box caused chaos. The Bullets defence failed to clear, and Dambuleni capitalised to fire past Chimbamba—1-0 to the hosts.
In the 55th minute, Bullets responded with a double substitution, introducing Ephraim Kondowe and Ernest Petro for Gamphani and Wongani Lungu.
The impact was immediate. Just two minutes later, Kondowe equalised for The People’s Team, slotting home from a goalmouth scramble inside Civil’s box to make it 1-1.
The goal sparked renewed energy in the visitors, who began to push forward in search of a second. In the 69th minute, Kondowe linked up brilliantly with Phodo, who broke free in the box, but his shot was parried by John. From the rebound, Babatunde failed to convert from close range.
Paul Master came on in the 76th minute as Mponda looked to tilt the midfield battle in Bullets’ favour, but Civil continued to grow into the match.
In the 87th minute, the pressure paid off for the hosts. Chiwaya conceded a corner, and Moses Banda rose highest to nod home the winner, beating Chimbamba to restore Civil’s lead at 2-1.
Despite Bullets’ late efforts, Civil expertly managed the final minutes to secure their first league win over Bullets in nearly two decades.
What the Result Means
Bullets remain top of the TNM Super League table with a one-point lead, but second-placed Mighty Wanderers, who face Ekhaya FC on Sunday, have a chance to overtake them.
What’s Next
Focus now turns to the Airtel Top 8 Cup final, where FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will face Silver Strikers next Sunday at Bingu National Stadium.
