FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women completed a double over Mighty Wanderers Queens in the NBM Women’s Premiership with a 1-0 win at Mpira Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The decisive moment came in the 57th minute when Triza Chiwere won a free kick in Bullets’ half and finished off the resulting set-piece to give the Maule Ladies a decisive lead.
First Half: Slow Start, Few Chances for Both Sides
The Blantyre Women’s derby started at a cautious pace, but Bullets looked dangerous from the opening minutes. In the 3rd minute, Caroline Mulenzo’s early effort was comfortably stopped by the Wanderers’ goalkeeper, Esther Maulidi.
A few minutes later, in the 8th minute, a floated ball into the Wanderers’ area found Matamando Makawa, but the offside flag went up, denying an early chance. By the 15th minute, Bullets had created a few other opportunities, yet the score remained 0-0.
Moments later, the visitors came close to opening the scoring. At the 18th minute, they earned a corner, which was poorly delivered. Later in the 22nd minute, Shira Mangani’s dangerous free kick into the Bullets’ area saw Mkandawire make a brilliant flick. The resulting corner was headed over by Grace Gumba, keeping the scores level.
Wanderers continued to press, with another corner in the 32nd minute but they couldn’t capitalize.
Bullets earned their first corner in the 40th minute, but Ioulia Yiannakis’ delivery failed to yield a clear chance. A subsequent free kick in the 42nd minute was also defended well, leaving the first half goalless.
Second Half: Chiwere Breaks the Deadlock, Mkwalura Shines
The second half began with renewed intensity. Bullets made two substitutions in the 51st minute, bringing on Vanessa Issa and Chimwemwe Sapangwa for Leah Mussa and Yiannakis.
The breakthrough came in the 57th minute after a pivotal moment. Neema Banda was booked for a foul on Triza Chiwere, conceding a free kick in Bullets’ half. From that set-piece, Chiwere seized her opportunity and scored, giving Maggie Chombo’s ladies the lead.
Wanderers pressed for an equalizer, but Bullets’ defense and goalkeeper Bridget Mkwalura’s heroics kept them at bay. In the 61st minute, a shot rattled the side netting, while in the 69th minute, Bullets’ corner saw Issa’s back-heel cleared away.
Mary Chavinda’s free kick in the 75th minute was also easily saved, leaving the score 1-0 in favour of the Maule Ladies.
Mkwalura was in top form, producing a crucial save in the 81st minute to deny Wanderers an equalizer. The match saw disciplinary action with Neema Banda receiving a second yellow in the 84th minute, followed by the sending-off of Wanderers’ head coach Thom Kazembe in the 89th minute for protesting.
Despite two late corners for Wanderers in the 88th minute, Bullets defended resolutely. Mkwalura made another brilliant save in stoppage time, ensuring the clean sheet was preserved.
Player of the Match: Bernadetta Mkandawire
The Malawi international was at the heart of Bullets’ play, driving attacks, creating chances, and keeping Wanderers on their toes throughout the game.
This was Mkandawire’s successive POTM award, following her performance last weekend in the 2-1 victory over Topik Academy in Mzuzu. Her composure under pressure helped Bullets maintain control in key moments, particularly during the second-half surge from the visitors.
What It Means
The win sees Bullets Women cement third place in the NBM Women’s Premiership with 31 points from 16 games.
Champions Silver Strikers remain on top with 42 points, despite a 2-0 defeat to Civil Service Women in the Lilongwe derby. Ascent Academy are second with 35 points after a 3-0 win over MDF Lioness.
What’s Next
Next for Bullets Women is a home fixture against Civil Service Women, before wrapping up the inaugural NBM Women’s Premiership campaign with an away fixture to the champions Silver Strikers Ladies.
