FCB Nyasa Big Bullets made it two wins in two appearances at Chitipa Stadium with a 2-0 victory over Chitipa United in the opening fixture of the second round of the TNM Super League on Saturday afternoon.
The People’s Team were clinical in both halves, with defender Henry Chiwaya breaking the deadlock before Babatunde Adepoju, coming off the bench, sealed the win from the penalty spot.
First Half Action
The game began at a lively pace, both teams winning early corners inside the opening five minutes.
On 10 minutes, Andrew Jovinala conceded a foul in a dangerous position, but Bullets’ defence stood firm to deal with the threat. Four minutes later, Chikumbutso Salima was released by Wongani Lungu, only for his low effort to be saved by goalkeeper Kennedy Nankhaima.
Bullets thought they had opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Maxwell Phodo headed home another Lungu delivery, but the assistant referee flagged for offside.
Chiwaya Pounces Inside The Area
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 21st minute. Chiwaya, joining the attack from defence, latched onto a brilliant cross from Lungu and smashed home his first goal for the club to make it 1-0.
Just two minutes later, Salima had another golden chance from another Lungu setup, but his weaker footed shot was comfortably gathered by Nankhaima.
At the half-hour mark, the hosts came close when Andrew Joseph rose highest to meet a cross, his header narrowly missing Innocent Nyasulu’s upright.
Despite chances at both ends, Bullets carried their slender lead into the break.
Second Half Action
Head coach Peter Mponda made two changes at halftime, introducing Hassan Kajoke and Chawanangwa Gumbo for Peter Banda and captain Frank Willard.
The tempo increased as Bullets pushed for a second. In the 55th minute, Lungu dazzled into the box and squared across goal, but Kajoke and Phodo both failed to convert. Chitipa immediately countered, but Joseph Mbamga fired over with the goal gaping.
Moments later, Nyasulu produced a crucial double save to deny the hosts an equaliser.
Mponda then freshened up his midfield, replacing Lungu with Yankho Singo on 64 minutes. The hosts also made changes, bringing in Steve Saka and Rajab Nyirenda for Asuman Julius and Elias Muywanga.
In the 72nd minute, Mabuchi Msika and Trouble Kajani came on for Chitipa as both sides continued to press.
On 75 minutes, Peter Barry replaced Godfrey Kiyokwa for the home side, before Bullets introduced Babatunde Adepoju for Phodo in the 78th minute.
Babatunde Doubles The Lead
With Chitipa pushing forward, Bullets remained compact and well-organised at the back.
In the 86th minute, Salima took on Chitipa captain Eric Atsiga, driving into the box with pace and power. The winger was brought down, and the referee pointed straight to the spot.
Up stepped Baba, who calmly converted the penalty to make it 2-0, sealing the victory for The People’s Team.
The hosts had a late penalty appeal of their own waved away by referee Misheck Juba, before Bullets saw out five minutes of added time to claim all three points.
Player Of The Match
Salima was named Player of the Match after a tireless display that saw him constantly trouble the Chitipa defence and win the crucial penalty for Babatunde’s goal.
What It Means
The 2-0 victory in Chitipa sees Bullets start the second round of the TNM Super League in style.
With the win, The People’s Team move to 37 points, climbing to the top of the TNM Super League standings.
Mponda’s men now sit two points clear of Mighty Wanderers, who are on 35 points and face Mafco away at Champion Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It was a strong statement of intent from Bullets, showing the hunger to fight back to the summit, while bouncing back from the frustrating 3-3 draw against Karonga United in their final first-round fixture.
What Next
With the job done in Chitipa, Mponda’s charges will stay up North for their next fixture against Songwe Border United at Karonga Stadium in midweek, before the FIFA international break.
