Late second-half goals from Chikumbutso Salima and Hassan Kajoke earned FCB Nyasa Big Bullets a hard-fought 2-0 win over Mzuzu City Hammers in Thursday’s TNM Super League clash at Rumphi Stadium.
With The People’s Team coming into this fixture on the back of Sunday’s 1-0 home defeat to Blue Eagles, it was a must-win encounter to keep pace with log leaders Mighty Wanderers. And Peter Mponda’s men rose to the challenge, securing all three points in the final quarter of the game.
First Half: Nyasulu Stands Tall in Tough Conditions
On a windy afternoon in Rumphi, the match began with difficult playing conditions on a dry and bumpy surface. The first half proved challenging for both sides, but especially for Bullets who were playing against the wind.
The hosts applied early pressure and nearly went ahead in the 17th minute when Samson Olatubson connected with a cross from the left, forcing a superb save from Innocent Nyasulu. Moments later, Frank Willard’s free-kick at the other end was blocked by the wall after Babatunde Adepoju was fouled just outside the area.
Lameck Gamphani looked to have broken the deadlock in the 19th minute after a driving run down the right, but his effort was cleared off the line by Eddie Jamu.
Despite limited clear chances, Bullets managed to test the hosts again just before halftime through Ephraim Kondowe and Gamphani, but a determined Hammers defence held firm.
Nyasulu was once again called into action in the 43rd minute to deny Olatubson from close range, ensuring the teams went into the break level at 0-0.
Second Half: Substitutions and Set Pieces Deliver the Points
Coach Mponda made three changes at halftime, introducing Hassan Kajoke, Maxwell Phodo, and Henry Chiwaya for Babatunde, Gamphani, and Wongani Lungu.
The changes added fresh energy as Bullets began to assert themselves. In the 53rd minute, Kondowe attempted a bicycle kick that was deflected for a corner.
Controversy arose in the 58th minute when Phodo’s flick appeared to strike a defender’s hand inside the box, but referee Waliko Simfukwe instead awarded a free-kick to the hosts. At the other end, Hammers were awarded a penalty, but Nyasulu came up big once again—saving Olatubson’s spot kick and the rebound from Mathews Banda in a heroic double stop that kept the score level.
Galvanised by the moment, Bullets pushed forward. Peter Banda and Ernest Petro were later introduced, and the breakthrough finally arrived in the 77th minute.
A floated free kick into the area found Kondowe whose effort met Salima and the midfielder rose high to power in a header and give Bullets the deserved lead.
And in the 92nd minute, The People’s Team wrapped it up.
Banda whipped in another well-delivered ball, Salima headed it back across goal, and Kajoke nodded in to seal all three points for Bullets.
Final Score: Mzuzu City Hammers 0-2 FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
What It Means
The victory moves Bullets to 30 points from 14 matches—just three behind Wanderers, who are on 33 after the same number of games.
Next up, Mponda’s men travel to Mponela to face MAFCO FC this Sunday before wrapping up the first round with a home fixture against Karonga United.
