FCB Nyasa Big Bullets return to Joyce Chitsulo Stadium in Mwanza on Sunday afternoon for our second home fixture of the 2026/27 FDH Bank Premiership season against Red Lions.
The encounter comes a week after our Blantyre Derby victory over Mighty Wanderers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Ahead of Sunday’s FDH Bank Premiership clash in Mwanza, we take a closer look at Red Lions’ recent form, history and key players.
RECENT HISTORY
The last time we faced the Zomba-based side in the league was during the 2023 season at Balaka Stadium, where the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
The sides have not met in league action since then after Red Lions spent the next two seasons in the Premier Division before earning promotion back to the top flight by winning the inaugural National Division League title in 2025.
The two teams, however, met in a pre-season friendly at Zomba Stadium last month during preparations for the current campaign, with the match ending in a goalless draw.
AGAINST BULLETS
Red Lions are still searching for their first victory over Maule in almost two decades across all competitions.
They came closest in the first round of the 2020 season when they surrendered a 3-1 lead in a dramatic 3-3 draw at a rain-soaked Kamuzu Stadium.
In the last six league meetings between the two teams, Maule have won four matches while the other two ended in draws.
The most recent league encounter came at Balaka Stadium in 2023 when we surrendered a first-half lead in a 1-1 draw.
RECENT FORM
Red Lions opened their campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Creck Sporting Club in Zomba, with Fred Banda finding the net.
They followed that with another 1-1 draw away to Ekhaya FC at Mpira Stadium, where Kalisto Kaliwo scored the equaliser.
In their most recent outing, the Zomba-based side recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory over Goshen City Dedza Dynamos. Former Bullets midfielder Mphatso Magaleta scored twice, while Matthews Simbeyi added the third.
Red Lions head into Sunday’s encounter sixth on the table with five points, having scored five goals and conceded twice in their opening three matches.
Several individuals have played an important role in Red Lions’ positive start to the season.
KEY PLAYERS
Mphatso Magaleta
The former Bullets midfielder has become one of Red Lions’ key players with his energy, forward movement and ability to influence attacks from midfield.
Magaleta played a major role in the club’s promotion-winning National Division League campaign and was nominated for Midfielder of the Season.
He arrives in Mwanza in strong form after scoring twice and earning Man of the Match honours in the win over Goshen City Dedza Dynamos.
His late runs into attacking areas and ability to link midfield with attack make him one of Red Lions’ biggest threats heading into Sunday’s fixture.
Matamando Mwatchipisa
The attacking midfielder, who is on loan from Ekhaya FC, impressed during Red Lions’ opening-day draw against Creck Sporting Club and was voted Player of the Match.
Another former Bullets youth player, Mwatchipisa is quick, technically gifted and confident in possession. He is also capable of striking from distance and creating danger during transitions into the attacking third.
He missed the fixture against his parent club Ekhaya FC but remains one of the visitors’ most dangerous creative outlets.
Kalisto Kaliwo
Kaliwo has already opened his account for the season after scoring against Ekhaya FC at Mpira Stadium.
The attacker was also influential during Red Lions’ promotion-winning campaign, playing a key role in their return to the top flight.
His pace, movement and aerial presence make him one of Red Lions’ main attacking threats heading into Sunday’s encounter.
Sunday’s fixture presents another important test for The People’s Team as we continue our early-season campaign in Mwanza against a Red Lions side enjoying a confident start to life back in the FDH Bank Premiership.
