Ephraim Kondowe’s second-half penalty earned Bullets a deserved 1-0 victory over Masters FC on Sunday afternoon as The People’s Team secured back-to-back FDH Bank Premiership wins.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets dominated proceedings from the opening whistle at Mpira Stadium, creating chance after chance while restricting the visitors to only a handful of opportunities.
Despite controlling possession, territory and set-pieces throughout the afternoon, Maule had to wait until midway through the second half before Kondowe’s penalty finally separated the sides.
The victory marked a successful return to Blantyre for Bullets, extending Wedson Nyirenda’s unbeaten start as head coach while securing consecutive league victories for the first time this season.
Bullets Dominate First Half
Maule settled quickly and immediately began asking questions of the Masters defence.
Kondowe threatened inside the opening minutes before Richard Chimbamba produced an excellent save to deny the striker from Yamikani Mologeni’s inviting cross.
The Masters goalkeeper was called into action again moments later to keep out Wongani Lungu’s effort after another dangerous Bullets attack.
Bullets continued to pile on the pressure.
Clever Kalambo fired wide after being picked out by Frank Willard before seeing another effort ruled out for offside.
The winger then beat his marker only to drag another effort wide, while Kondowe headed over from close range after another superb delivery from Willard.
Bullets repeatedly forced corners and free-kicks but could not make their dominance count despite enjoying almost complete control of the opening period.
Masters’ best chance of the half fell to captain Chisomo Mpachika, who fired over from close range after the visitors’ first meaningful attack.
The sides went into the break goalless, although Bullets had comfortably been the better team.
Kondowe Makes Pressure Count
Nyirenda introduced Mike Mkwate and Dastan Banda at the restart as Bullets resumed where they had left off, continuing to pin the visitors inside their own half.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 54th minute.
Referee Mwayi Msungama pointed to the penalty spot after Damiano Kunje handled the ball inside the area.
Kondowe stepped up and calmly sent Richard Chimbamba the wrong way for his second league goal in consecutive matches.
The goal finally rewarded Bullets for a dominant display after creating numerous chances throughout the afternoon.
Bullets continued to create chances after taking the lead.
Misheck Billiat, introduced from the bench, was denied by another fine Chimbamba save after being played through by Kondowe, while Mike Mkwate also forced the goalkeeper into an outstanding stop late in the contest.
Despite winning corner after corner, Bullets could not add a second goal as Masters continued to defend set-pieces resolutely.
The visitors almost snatched an equaliser five minutes from time when a dangerous free-kick found Mpachika inside the box.
However, the Masters captain fired over with Innocent Nyasulu beaten.
Moments later, referee Msungama dismissed Masters head coach Peter Mponda before Bullets comfortably negotiated five minutes of stoppage time to secure all three points.
The result extended Bullets’ unbeaten start to the FDH Bank Premiership season to eight matches and secured consecutive league victories for the first time in the current campaign.
The victory lifted Bullets to third in the FDH Bank Premiership standings on 16 points from eight matches. Maule remain unbeaten and sit level on points with second-placed Blue Eagles, trailing only on goal difference, while leaders Silver Strikers hold a one-point advantage.
Mologeni’s impressive display earned him the FDH Bank Premiership Player of the Match award.
It was the right-back’s second consecutive Player of the Match accolade after also claiming the honour in Bullets’ 2-1 victory over Kamuzu Barracks last week.
The 23-year-old continues to reward Nyirenda’s faith after the head coach described him as “a machine” and “a big player” during his first week in charge.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets XI
24 Innocent Nyasulu; 2 Yamikani Mologeni, 4 Blessings Mpokera (C), 26 Emmanuel Kaunga, 31 Prince Chiumia; 6 Frank Willard, 19 Wongani Lungu (10 Mike Mkwate 46′); 20 Maxwell Phodo (18 Dastan Banda 46′), 22 George Chaomba (28 Misheck Billiat 38′, 29 Chawanangwa Gumbo 79′), 11 Clever Kalambo; 13 Ephraim Kondowe (7 Peter Banda 60′).
Substitutes Not Used
1 Pilirani Mapira, 17 Yankho Singo, 21 Andrew Jovinala, 23 Aaron Chilipa.
Masters FC XI
1 Richard Chimbamba; 7 Precious Sambani, 5 Damiano Kunje, 6 Ben Manyozo (70 Paul Phiri 26′), 29 Mabuchi Msiska, 13 Mwansa Mwamba (25 Phillimon Ndhlovu 26′), 23 Patrick Phiri (21 Vincent Mark 46′), 18 Chisomo Mpachika (C), 17 Hastings Ndau (11 Stenie Davie 65′), 24 Innocent Msowoya, 8 Chikaiko Batson (80 Samalani Koyani 46′).
Substitutes Not Used
2 Frank Sanudi, 27 Luke Chima, 45 Babangida Ishaya, 81 Brighton Munthali.
Match Statistics
Goals
Ephraim Kondowe 54′ (pen).
Bookings
Damiano Kunje (Masters FC), Precious Sambani (Masters FC), Mabuchi Msiska (Masters FC), Prince Chiumia (Bullets).
Red Cards
Peter Mponda (Masters FC head coach).
Player of the Match
Yamikani Mologeni (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)
Match Details
Fixture: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets vs Masters FC
Competition: FDH Bank Premiership
Date: 29 June 2026
Venue: Mpira Stadium, Blantyre
Result: Bullets 1-0 Masters FC
