FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women kicked off their NBM Women’s Premiership campaign on a disappointing note after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to city rivals Kukoma Ntopwa Women on Saturday afternoon at Mpira Stadium.
Despite a spirited second-half performance, The People’s Team couldn’t find the equaliser as the visitors held on to claim maximum points in the opening fixture of Malawi’s first national women’s league.
First Half – The Decisive Moment
The match began with promise for Bullets, who pushed forward early in search of a breakthrough. Inside the opening 10 minutes, the hosts won two consecutive corner kicks, both delivered by Tendai Sani, but no connection was made in the box.
An early tactical change was forced upon the team when Fauzah Mohammed picked up an injury and was replaced by Racheal Matemba just 13 minutes into the game.
Both sides settled into the match cautiously, with Ntopwa nearly finding the opener midway through the first half, only to be denied by Bullets’ alert backline. The home side responded with intent as Zainab Kapanda tested Ntopwa goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo, who made a comfortable save.
However, the visitors broke the deadlock in the 41st minute. Substitute Esther Chauluka latched onto a clever through-ball from Alice Braz, beat her marker, and calmly slotted past Thoko Mwase to give Ntopwa a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
Second Half – Pressure Without Reward
Coach Maggie Chombo made another change at the start of the second half, introducing Vanessa Issa for Matemba. Bullets came out with renewed purpose and nearly found the equaliser just two minutes after the restart, as Kapanda fired narrowly wide.
The hosts dominated possession, forcing three quick corner kicks, but Ntopwa’s defence remained resolute. In the 55th minute, Mary Chavinda, making her return to Bullets from Rayon Sports in Rwanda, stepped up for a free kick, but her effort sailed over the bar.
With momentum on their side, Bullets continued to push forward. A well-delivered corner from Sani found Pilirani Malora, whose header was blocked by a last-ditch clearance. Moments later, Sharon Dzimau tested Sikelo from a set piece, but the keeper collected calmly.
In the 75th minute, Dzimau’s corner once again threatened the visitors’ goal, but Ntopwa remained compact and cleared their lines. The final minutes saw Bullets Women pile on the pressure, playing almost entirely in Ntopwa’s half, but the equaliser never came.
What It Means
The result means Bullets Women begin their NBM Women’s Premiership campaign with a narrow defeat at home. Despite the loss, the team showed determination, character, and attacking intent, especially in the second half.
Coach Maggie Chombo Reacts
Speaking after the match, Head Coach Maggie Chombo remained optimistic despite the setback:
“In football, anything can happen. We have lost this game, but that’s not the end. We will go back to training and work on improving in certain areas. Our main weakness today was during transitions when we had the ball, but we are building a good team, and I must praise the girls for showing great character—that is exactly what we want moving forward.”
“Mary Chavinda needs to work harder and develop better coordination with her teammates, but I strongly believe these girls will perform better in the upcoming games.”
What’s Next
Bullets Women will look to bounce back next weekend when they face MK Academy at Kamuzu Stadium in their second fixture of the 2025 NBM Women’s Premiership.
