Gomezgani Maziya’s superb free-kick put FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Under-19 ahead, but Rams United responded from the penalty spot two minutes later to secure a 1-1 draw in the FCB Katswiri Under-19 League at Kamuzu Stadium on Monday.
The result leaves the young Bullets sixth on 18 points from nine matches, six points behind leaders Ekhaya Youth.
Fodya’s side created several opportunities throughout the contest and struck the woodwork twice, but could not hold on after finally breaking the deadlock with two minutes of regulation time remaining.
Bullets Create Chances But Remain Level
Rams started brightly and created the first opening after just two minutes when Steve Dickson’s effort was comfortably saved by Hassan Assima.
The hosts continued to threaten and came close again in the ninth minute when Dickson Kameza failed to capitalise after being well set up by Petro Goodson.
The youngsters gradually grew into the contest and produced their first attacking threat in the 15th minute when Chawanangwa Mhango sent a dangerous cross across the face of goal.
Three minutes later, Osman George’s free-kick was deflected behind for a corner.
Joel Maziya delivered the resulting set piece and Mike Kalanda rose highest, but his header failed to trouble the Rams defence.
The young Bullets came agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 19th minute.
Caleb Chapendeka capitalised on a deflected ball and got an effort away, but his strike rattled the post.
Fodya’s side continued to threaten from set pieces, winning another corner in the 25th minute, although Gomezgani Maziya’s delivery was dealt with by the hosts.
Five minutes later, Blessings Lungu sent an inviting cross into the box, but Mhango was flagged offside.
Fodya was booked in the 32nd minute for dissent while attempting to speak to the assistant referee.
The visitors created another opportunity three minutes later when Dickson Kameza picked out George’s run, earning a corner.
Lungu delivered from the set piece, but Gomezgani Maziya headed wide.
Neither side could find the breakthrough before the 40-minute interval as the teams went into half-time level at 0-0.
Maziya Breaks Deadlock, Rams Hit Back
The young Bullets came out strongly after the restart and almost took the lead in the 43rd minute when Chapendeka’s effort was saved by the Rams goalkeeper.
The hosts responded with a corner of their own, but Joel Maziya was alert to clear the danger.
Rams won another corner three minutes later, but the visitors’ defence again stood firm.
Fodya made his first change in the 55th minute, introducing Emmanuel Kaswaswa for Dickson Kameza.
The youngsters continued to threaten from set pieces and came within inches of opening the scoring again in the 60th minute.
Lungu delivered a corner into the box and Willy Demakube rose highest, only for his header to crash against the post.
Demakube went close again six minutes later, heading wide from another corner.
Samuel Mpinda replaced Mike Kalanda in the 67th minute as Fodya’s side continued their search for the breakthrough.
Their persistence finally paid off in the 78th minute.
Gomezgani Maziya stepped up for a direct free-kick and produced a brilliant finish, beating the Rams goalkeeper to put Bullets U19 1-0 ahead.
However, the advantage lasted just two minutes.
Rams were awarded a penalty and Gracias Malanda stepped up from the spot, confidently sending Assima the wrong way to restore parity.
Osman George was booked for a foul as the hosts looked to build on their equaliser.
Neither side could find a winner before the final whistle, with the points ultimately shared at 1-1.
The result leaves the young Bullets sixth on 18 points from nine matches. Ekhaya Youth lead the standings on 24 points from 10 games, while Wanderers Youth, Soche Madrid and Manchester Motors are all on 19 points.
Fodya Calls For Greater Clinical Edge
Fodya praised his players’ effort and the chances they created but felt they needed to be more clinical and manage the game better after taking the lead.
“It was a good game from both sides, and I think the boys gave everything on the pitch. We created some good chances and even managed to take the lead, but unfortunately, we conceded shortly after scoring.”
The Bullets coach pointed to the number of opportunities and efforts that hit the woodwork as evidence that his side had been creating chances.
“We had opportunities to score more goals, and hitting the post several times shows that we were creating chances, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal. When we took the lead, we needed to manage the game better and protect our advantage.”
Fodya admitted the result was disappointing but said there were positives to take from the performance.
“The result is disappointing because we wanted to come here and get all three points, but we have to take the positives from the performance. The boys showed character and created chances, and now we need to learn from the mistakes and prepare well for the next game.”
Bullets U19 XI
23 Hassan Assima; 82 Gomezgani Maziya, 88 Joel Maziya, 77 Osman George, 80 Blessings Lungu, 90 Chawanangwa Mhango, 76 Emmanuel Mapundi, 87 Mike Kalanda (86 Samuel Mpinda 67′), 95 Dickson Kameza (99 Emmanuel Kaswaswa 55′), 85 Caleb Chapendeka, 90 Willy Demakube.
Substitutes Not Used
16 Hopeson Phiri, 78 Timothy George, 93 Prince Jamali, 79 Francis Kamuyambeni, 98 Elias Redson, 75 Misheck Redson, 92 Kelvin Phiri, 91 Vincent Moyo, 100 Justin Chipewa, 83 Thole Sachenja, 89 Innocent Kamwathendo.
Rams United XI
1 Tamanda Mayero; 11 Petro Goodson, 4 Andrew Chitsanya, 3 Alex Friday, 2 Nacie Tembo, 12 Edgas Chisale, 18 Osman Beya (16 Gracias Malanda 55′), 17 Steve Dickson, 19 Charis Kanyimbiri (5 Daniel Jere 55′), 14 Sikeffa Mayeso (9 Gift Joseph 67′), 20 Cassim Break.
Substitutes Not Used
10 Titus Finney, 11 Kenneth Kam, 7 Brian Likweta, 15 Benjamin Malunga, 6 Herod Kafuwe, 20 Pameck Nkorongo, 8 Nzedi Feston.
Match Statistics
Goals
Bullets Under-19: Gomezgani Maziya 78′.
Rams United: Gracias Malanda 80′ (pen).
Bookings
Bullets Under-19: Yamikani Fodya, Osman George.
Match Details
Fixture: Rams United vs Bullets Under-19
Competition: FCB Katswiri Under-19 League
Date: 7 September 2026
Venue: Kamuzu Stadium, Blantyre
Result: Rams United 1-1 Bullets Under-19
