FCB Nyasa Big Bullets were held to a goalless draw by relegation-threatened Mighty Tigers at Mpira Stadium on Saturday afternoon, in a tense TNM Super League encounter.
After dominating the league for five years since 2018, and winning a quadruple in 2023, The People’s Team will now enter a second consecutive season without the league title.
Despite controlling possession and creating multiple clear-cut chances, Bullets were unable to break down a resilient Tigers defence.
The People’s Team remain second on 63 points, five behind the incoming champions Mighty Wanderers, who secured a big win over Moyale Barracks on the same afternoon, effectively ending Bullets’ title bid.
First Half: Bullets Press, Tigers Hold Firm
The game started at a high tempo, with Bullets applying early pressure. Within the first ten minutes, Frank Willard tested goalkeeper Lucky Tizola with a powerful strike that narrowly missed the target.
Set pieces were a recurring feature in the opening stages, as Peter Banda delivered from corners and free-kicks, but Tigers’ defence held firm, intercepting several deliveries. Wongani Lungu’s header from a well-placed corner skimmed just wide, while Maxwell Phodo, Ephraim Kondowe, and Willard were unlucky in other close-range attempts.
At the 34th minute, Phodo’s effort from close range narrowly missed, and Tigers were reduced to ten men after Martin Msewa Jnr received a second yellow card. Bullets enjoyed a numerical advantage but could not convert their pressure, and the first half ended goalless.
Half-Time: Mighty Tigers 0-0 FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
Second Half: Substitutions and Continued Pressure
Early in the second half, Peter Mponda made two changes, bringing on Ephraim Kondowe and Hassan Kajoke for Dominic Musonda and Maxwell Phodo. The fresh legs added attacking energy as Bullets pressed high and tested Tigers’ defence repeatedly.
In the 63rd minute, Wongani Lungu’s powerful strike was brilliantly saved by Tizola, marking Bullets’ first serious chance of the half. Sean McBrams, who later replaced Lungu, delivered a precise cross that saw both Kondowe and Kajoke miss golden opportunities just yards from goal.
At the 79th minute, Chikumbutso Salima’s effort was saved by Tizola, and Kondowe’s header from the resulting corner went wide. Despite multiple near-misses from McBrams, Kondowe, and Kajoke, the visitors could not find the back of the net.
Kondowe later went off injured and was replaced by Bright Munthali, while Precious Kalenga came on for Tigers’ Grayson Msowoya. Bullets continued to press relentlessly but struggled to find a breakthrough against a disciplined Tigers defence.
Even in seven minutes of added time, neither side could score, and the match ended in a 0-0 draw, leaving Bullets frustrated but unbeaten.
What It Means
With this draw and Mighty Wanderers’ 6-0 win over Moyale Barracks, Bullets’ hopes of clinching the 2025 TNM Super League title have ended. With a game to play, The Nomads now have 68 points, while Bullets have 63 points.
Third-placed Silver Strikers, after their 1-0 win away to MAFCO at Champion Stadium, trail The People’s Team by three points but have a game in hand. Bullets will need a win against Mzuzu City Hammers in the final game of the campaign to secure second place, provided Silver Strikers do not surpass Bullets’ superior goal aggregate with their remaining two games.
While the league title is out of reach, Bullets will aim to finish the season strongly and secure second place, keeping pride intact after a competitive campaign.
What’s Next
Bullets now switch focus to the last game of the season against Mzuzu City Hammers at Kamuzu Stadium on 27 December. Fans will be hoping for a strong finish as the season concludes.
Full-Time: Mighty Tigers 0-0 FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
