FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves moved up to second position in the ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League after battling to a goalless draw against Ekhaya Reserves at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It was a hard-fought encounter in which The People’s Team dominated possession and created several scoring chances but could not find the finishing touch against the league leaders.
Table Implications
The result lifted Bullets Reserves from fourth to second on the log, moving above Mighty Wanderers Reserves and Chilobwe United, who sit third and fourth, respectively.
All three sides are level on 35 points, but The People’s Team hold a superior goal difference of +29, compared to +18 for both Wanderers and Chilobwe.
In terms of games played, Ekhaya remain top with 41 points from 19 matches, while Bullets and Chilobwe have played 18 games apiece, and Wanderers have a game in hand with 17 matches played.
First Half Action
Bullets Reserves started brightly, immediately taking the game to the hosts. In the 3rd minute, Movic Banda almost opened the scoring after connecting with a fine cross from Enos Henderman, following excellent work from Hadji Steven, who had won possession deep inside Ekhaya’s half.
Five minutes later, Banda again found himself in a promising position after another clever delivery from Steven, but his effort was comfortably gathered by Ekhaya goalkeeper Luciano Fanuel.
The hosts offered a brief threat from a corner, but Matthews Nkunika was alert to clear. Bullets continued to control proceedings, and in the 18th minute, Steven and Brian Mwase combined neatly in attack, though the Ekhaya defence recovered well to deal with the threat from a move initiated by Mischek Billiat.
Bullets maintained the pressure, winning a series of corners midway through the half. Kondwani Tebulo’s 22nd-minute delivery was met with a powerful header that flew narrowly over the bar.
Ekhaya made an early substitution, bringing on Limbani Kutambe, a former Bullets Reserves player, for Patrick Dominic as they looked to regain control.
The People’s Team continued to push forward, with Billiat’s corner in the 35th minute stopped for a foul inside the box, while Maxwell Sakanamba, another ex-Bullets Reserves midfielder, saw his free kick fly over the bar five minutes later.
On the stroke of halftime, Billiat’s long-range effort forced another corner, but Ekhaya stood firm as the opening period ended goalless.
Second Half Push
Bullets came out pressing hard after the restart, winning three successive corners. From the final delivery, defender Precious Juma rose highest but headed just over the bar.
Ekhaya responded with a corner of their own in the 52nd minute, but Hadji Steven cleared the danger and immediately launched a counterattack that nearly caught the hosts off guard.
As the half wore on, Bullets dominated possession, with Billiat and Henderman repeatedly stretching Ekhaya’s defence. Both players tested the goalkeeper but couldn’t find the target.
In the 60th minute, head coach Heston Munthali made a triple substitution, introducing Prince Chiumia, Mussah Bwanali, and Prince Chalera for Steven, Daniel White, and Banda — a move that added fresh legs and attacking intent.
Ekhaya nearly took the lead moments later, but goalkeeper Ganizani Banda produced a brilliant save to keep the scores level. Shortly after, Tebulo whipped in a teasing free kick, but the home defence cleared under pressure.
Billiat continued to inspire in midfield, winning possession and unleashing a low drive straight at the goalkeeper in the 70th minute. Anthony Soko later replaced Kampira as Bullets pushed for a winner.
The visitors had two golden opportunities late on. In the 77th minute, Tebulo forced the goalkeeper into a save after a slick move involving Bwanali and Chalera. Four minutes later, Chalera rounded the goalkeeper after a defence-splitting pass from Billiat, but dragged his shot wide of the far post — the closest Bullets came to snatching all three points.
Defensive Solidity
In the closing stages, Bullets Reserves continued to pile on pressure through multiple corners from Billiat and Tebulo, but Ekhaya’s backline held firm.
At the other end, Ganizani Banda remained alert, pulling off a crucial late save to preserve a well-deserved clean sheet for The People’s Team.
After 90 minutes of competitive football, neither side managed to break the deadlock, but the result ensured Bullets Reserves extended their unbeaten run in the second round and climbed to second in the standings.
