FCB Nyasa Big Bullets struck twice in the space of two second-half minutes to overcome a resilient Chitipa United side 2-0 at Mpira Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
After dominating for long periods without finding the breakthrough, Blessings Mpokera converted an 80th-minute penalty before Clever Kalambo finished Misheck Billiat’s cross two minutes later.
The result moved The People’s Team to 23 points from 12 matches, level with third-placed Mighty Wanderers and two behind joint leaders Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles.
Bullets denied in dominant first half
Wedson Nyirenda made three changes to the side that started against Goshen City Dedza Dynamos, with Mpokera, Prince Chiumia and Yankho Singo replacing Henry Chiwaya, Andrew Jovinala and Maxwell Phodo.
Singo was handed his first start since May and his first under Nyirenda, while Mpokera returned from injury to captain the side.
Bullets immediately pushed the visitors into their defensive third and created the first opening in the third minute.
Kalambo played a corner short to Peter Banda, who laid the ball back to Yamikani Mologeni. The defender’s cross found Wongani Lungu, but his goal-bound effort was blocked by Blessings Joseph.
Lungu went even closer a minute later when his strike rattled the crossbar with Chitipa goalkeeper John Banda beaten.
Ephraim Kondowe had another opportunity in the sixth minute. With Lungu also well positioned inside the penalty area, the forward opted to shoot but fired over the crossbar from close range.
Mpokera tested Banda with a powerful effort from outside the box three minutes later, forcing the goalkeeper to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Mologeni picked out Lungu inside the penalty area in the 13th minute, but the midfielder’s tame effort was comfortably saved.
Bullets continued to apply pressure and create openings, with Peter Banda combining with Lungu midway through the half.
The midfielder sent a dangerous delivery across the face of goal, but no red and white shirt was on hand to apply the finish.
Kalambo was inches away from breaking the deadlock in the 31st minute when his header flashed narrowly wide of the right-hand post.
At the other end, Friday Osagie registered Chitipa’s first meaningful attempt, firing wide from outside the penalty area.
The visitors continued to defend deep as Bullets maintained control and searched for the opening goal.
Kalambo struck the post in the 41st minute before Banda produced a sharp reflex save to deny Lungu three minutes later.
The forward was booked a minute later for firing the ball into the Chitipa net after play had been stopped.
The Chitipa goalkeeper made another important stop during first-half stoppage time, saving Kondowe’s powerful strike to send the teams into the interval goalless.
Pressure continues after the restart
Chitipa made two changes at half-time, introducing Vitumbiko Katuya and Bostoni Daniel for Chancy Kaonga and Manda Zenga.
Bullets continued to dictate the contest after the restart.
Peter Banda delivered a corner into the penalty area in the 51st minute, but Lungu’s header lacked the power to trouble the goalkeeper.
Nyirenda made his first changes four minutes later, introducing Phodo and Madalitso Safuli for Kondowe and Chawanangwa Gumbo.
Kenson Mlenga received Chitipa’s first booking in the 61st minute, but Bullets were unable to capitalise on the resulting free-kick.
Billiat followed two minutes later, replacing Peter Banda as Bullets added fresh energy to the attack.
Safuli fired wide after combining with Mologeni from a short free-kick, while Chitipa remained compact and continued to frustrate The People’s Team.
Jerrings Kayira replaced Augustine Njongoroh for the visitors in the 69th minute.
A major opportunity arrived five minutes later when Billiat’s excellent pass found Phodo unmarked inside the six-yard box, but Banda produced another crucial save.
Mologeni’s corner went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands two minutes later before Banda denied Kalambo with another excellent stop in the 78th minute.
Two goals in two minutes seal victory
Bullets were finally rewarded in the 80th minute when referee Zebron Lengani pointed to the spot following a Chitipa handball inside the penalty area.
Mpokera stepped forward and converted the penalty to break the deadlock with ten minutes remaining.
Chiumia and Chitipa head coach Kondwa Mwamlima Ikwanga were booked in the aftermath of the decision.
The second goal followed just two minutes later.
Billiat found space and delivered an excellent cross into the box, where Kalambo produced a clinical finish to double our advantage and put The People’s Team firmly in control.
Chitipa introduced Winfore Ng’ambi for Osagie in the 84th minute before Nyirenda made his final double change four minutes later.
Dastan Banda and Kondwani Tebulo replaced Lungu and Kalambo, with Tebulo making his competitive first-team debut following his recent promotion from Bullets Reserves.
The youngster came agonisingly close to marking the occasion with a goal during stoppage time, but his effort struck the post.
Bullets remained composed through the closing stages to complete a deserved victory and preserve a clean sheet.
Back in the side after recovering from injury, Mpokera marked his return with the opening goal, a clean sheet and the Player of the Match award.
Nyirenda’s side remain fourth with 23 points from 12 matches, level with Mighty Wanderers and two behind Silver and Blue Eagles.
The People’s Team will next travel to the Northern Region to face Karonga United, who sit 12th with 12 points, as the first round approaches its closing stages.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets XI
24 Innocent Nyasulu; 2 Yamikani Mologeni, 4 Blessings Mpokera (C), 26 Emmanuel Kaunga, 31 Prince Chiumia; 17 Yankho Singo, 29 Chawanangwa Gumbo (12 Madalitso Safuli 55’), 19 Wongani Lungu (18 Dastan Banda 88’); 7 Peter Banda (28 Misheck Billiat 63’), 11 Clever Kalambo (52 Kondwani Tebulo 88’); 13 Ephraim Kondowe (20 Maxwell Phodo 55’).
Substitutes not used
23 Maclean Mwale, 25 Edward Thengo, 6 Frank Willard, 14 Sean McBrams.
Chitipa United XI
1 John Banda; 17 Godfrey Kwiyokwa (C), J. Issac Simfukwe, 2 Nelson Sikaona, 4 Blessings Joseph; 8 Manda Zenga (22 Bostoni Daniel 46’), 9 Oriafo Friday Osagie (26 Winfore Ng’ambi 84’), 14 Augustine Njongoroh (36 Jerrings Kayira 69’), 20 Olamba Ngesi, 21 Kenson Mlenga, 35 Chancy Kaonga (19 Vitumbiko Katuya 46’).
Substitutes not used
3 Temitope Ojeyinka Ebenezer, 23 Tuntufye Mwakifwamba, 24 Suzgo Mwakasinga, 32 Tuntufye Mwalilino.
Match Statistics
Goals: Blessings Mpokera 80’ (pen), Clever Kalambo 82’ (Bullets).
Bookings: Clever Kalambo 45’, Prince Chiumia 80’ (Bullets); Kenson Mlenga 61’, Kondwa Mwamlima Ikwanga 80’ (Chitipa United).
Player of the Match: Blessings Mpokera (Bullets).
Match Details
Fixture: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets vs Chitipa United
Competition: FDH Bank Premiership
Date: 9 August 2026
Venue: Mpira Stadium
Result: Bullets 2-0 Chitipa United.
