FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Under-19 secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ndirande Dortmund in an intense Blantyre District Youth Football Committee League encounter at Kamuzu Stadium on Monday morning, sealing a strong finish to the first round.
The result saw the Junior Maule move to 28 points, closing the opening phase of the campaign in second position and maintaining strong contention for the BDYFL title.
First Half Action
Bullets started brightly, applying early pressure on the visitors. Hassan Madula tested the goalkeeper within the opening minutes before Thole Sachenja fired a free kick just over the bar.
Ndirande Dortmund came close in the 17th minute when Anthony Bright hit the post, but Bullets quickly regrouped. Blessings Lungu combined neatly with Innocent Chikalamba, setting up Duncan Kumbuyo, who sent his effort narrowly wide.
A forced substitution in the 33rd minute saw Prince Jamali replace the injured Joel Maziya, and the midfielder immediately made an impact. His cross in the 38th minute found Charles Kasalanga, whose header drifted inches wide of the target.
Despite opportunities at both ends, the first half ended goalless.
Second Half Action
The breakthrough arrived shortly after the restart. Substitute Jazil Bannet made an instant impact, slotting home from close range after a fine delivery from Madula to hand Bullets a deserved lead.
From that point, the Junior Maule dictated the tempo, keeping Dortmund on the back foot through disciplined pressing and confident possession. Madula and Lungu both forced saves with long-range efforts, while Kumbuyo’s free kick was deflected narrowly wide.
In the 61st minute, Caleb Chapendeka and Osman George came on to maintain the intensity as Bullets looked to see out the result. Despite late pressure from the visitors, Bullets stood firm defensively, with Jamali’s late free kick the last notable action before the final whistle confirmed a determined 1-0 win.
What It Means
The victory sees Bullets Under-19 close out the first round of the BDYFL in second place with 28 points, just behind the league leaders.
It was a composed and disciplined performance that showcased the team’s maturity, resilience, and growth as they head into the second round full of confidence and belief.
Coach’s Reaction
Head coach Yamikani Fodya commended his players for their discipline and fighting spirit, describing the win as a reflection of the team’s progress.
“It was a tough game, but the boys worked hard and showed great discipline throughout. We’ve had some difficult matches recently, so it’s encouraging to see how they responded today. This kind of result builds confidence, and we’ll look to keep improving as we move into the second round.”
