FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women made a winning start to the NBM Women’s Championship on Saturday, beating Chitoliro Heroines 3-0 at Mpira Stadium.
Mary Chavinda’s spectacular early free-kick set The People’s Team on their way before Tadala James and Fauzah Muhammad added second-half goals, giving Maggie Chombo’s side three points and a clean sheet in their opening fixture.
There was a late change to Chombo’s defensive options before kick-off, with Bernadetta Mkandawire and Sharon Dzimau undergoing fitness tests after being listed as unavailable through injury in the build-up. Mkandawire passed her assessment to start, while Dzimau was named among the substitutes.
Mkandawire went on to produce a standout display and was named Player of the Match.
Chavinda Sets The Tone
The People’s Team started with intent, creating the first opening after just three minutes when Chavinda met Linda Nyangu’s pass but sent her effort wide.
Two minutes later, the captain found the breakthrough in spectacular fashion.
Standing over a free-kick from around 35 yards, Chavinda struck cleanly and sent the ball beyond Elikina Nyasulu to give Bullets an early advantage.
The debutants responded positively, showing attacking threat to keep the home defence alert. Elsa Abdul sent a free-kick over the bar before another dangerous delivery towards the far post drifted wide.
Bullets gradually settled into the contest and fashioned their first corner in the 28th minute. Chavinda’s delivery caused uncertainty in the Chitoliro box, with Nyasulu rising to punch clear before the visitors completed the clearance.
The visitors then produced their clearest opening of the half when a header beat Bridget Malemia, but Lyna James was perfectly positioned to clear the ball off the line and preserve Bullets’ lead.
Bullets immediately looked to turn defence into attack, with Mkandawire breaking forward and forcing Nyasulu into a save.
Chavinda remained a constant threat from dead-ball situations, although her 34th-minute free-kick was blocked.
Chitoliro made a double change in the 38th minute as they looked to alter the momentum, but Bullets defended another corner before dealing with a late free-kick near the corner flag.
Chavinda had one more opportunity before the interval, sending a free-kick off target as Bullets carried their slender advantage into half-time.
Half-time: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women 1-0 Chitoliro Heroines.
Chitoliro began the second half by winning a corner, but Abdul’s delivery evaded everyone in the box.
The visitors made another change in the 48th minute as they searched for a way back into the contest.
Bullets made their first changes just before the hour, with Leah Musa and Efa Msukwa replacing Vanessa Issa and Linda Nyangu.
Chavinda then came close to doubling the advantage, curling a free-kick from the right towards the top far corner, only for the effort to crash against the crossbar.
Chitoliro captain Maria Nkhoma was presented with a chance to level the contest in the 63rd minute after finding space on the right, but she fired over the bar with only Malemia to beat.
Kanyika Sees Red
The game swung further in Bullets’ favour two minutes later.
Mkandawire burst past two Chitoliro players before being brought down on the edge of the area by Teleza Kanyika, who was shown a red card in the 65th minute.
Chavinda stepped up for the resulting free-kick, but her low effort was saved by Nyasulu.
Bullets appeared to have doubled their advantage three minutes later when Musa reacted quickest after Chavinda’s effort had been saved.
The finish, however, was ruled out for a foul on the Chitoliro goalkeeper.
Tadala Doubles The Advantage
The second goal finally arrived in the 77th minute.
Chavinda’s corner dropped into a crowded penalty area, where Chitoliro struggled to clear their lines.
The ball fell to Tadala James, who kept her composure to finish and make it 2-0.
It was a landmark moment for the midfielder, who opened her account in Bullets colours on the opening day of the new championship campaign.
Chitoliro almost responded when a long ball across the area struck the crossbar, but the visitors were unable to turn their opportunities into a goal.
Tadala came close to creating another opening in the 84th minute when she found a way through and released Chavinda inside the area, but Chitoliro recovered in time to defend.
Bullets made two further changes soon after, with Swema John replacing Chimwemwe Sapangwa and Sphiwe Mkwalura coming on for Malemia.
Chavinda was then forced off after picking up an injury, with Fauzah Muhammad taking her place. Carol Puna Mulenzo assumed the captain’s armband.
Muhammad Completes The Victory
Bullets continued to press for a third in the closing stages and won a corner in the 90th minute.
John took it short to Lyna James, who found Musa, but the midfielder’s effort went wide.
Six minutes of added time were indicated, and Bullets used the final moments to put the result beyond doubt.
Musa broke forward from around 25 yards and saw her effort saved by Nyasulu, but Muhammad reacted quickest to the rebound and made no mistake from close range to complete the scoring.
Chitoliro had one final opportunity in the closing seconds, but Mkwalura reacted sharply to deny the effort and preserve Bullets’ clean sheet.
The final whistle confirmed three points, three goals and a clean sheet for The People’s Team, with Mkandawire’s standout performance earning her the Player of the Match award on her return to the starting XI.
Full-time: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women 3-0 Chitoliro Heroines.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women XI
16 Bridget Malemia (1 Sphiwe Mkwalura 85’); 3 Lyna James, 5 Triza Chiwere, 6 Chimwemwe Sapangwa (6 Swema John 85’), 8 Carol Puna Mulenzo, 10 Mary Chavinda (5 Fauzah Muhammad 87’), 18 Tadala James, 21 Linda Nyangu (2 Efa Msukwa 59’), 22 Bernadetta Mkandawire, 25 Grace Yotamu, 26 Vanessa Issa (7 Leah Musa 59’).
Substitutes Not Used
3 Sharon Dzimau, 4 Florida Safilodi.
Chitoliro Heroines XI
1 Elikina Nyasulu; 3 Love Kaungo (22 Mayamiko Mambo 38’), 5 Ronny Mbalame, 14 Judith Dzowawasa, 19 Teleza Kanyika, 7 Maria Nkhoma, 8 Promise Goodson (9 Evelyn John 73’), 11 Esther Boko (21 Susan Bamusi 38’), 17 Precious Kondowe (12 Brenda Likeke 48’), 20 Elsa Abdul, 10 Rachel Matemba.
Substitutes Not Used
2 Patricia Chipendeka, 13 Tamandani Mpita, 18 Nenani Chuma, 24 Dorothy James.
Match Details
Fixture: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women vs Chitoliro Heroines
Competition: NBM Women’s Championship
Date: Saturday, 19 September 2026
Venue: Mpira Stadium
Result: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women 3-0 Chitoliro Heroines
