FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves finished the first round of the SRFA FINCA Division One League at the summit with a 1-0 victory over The Boyz at Kamuzu Stadium on Monday afternoon.
The fixture was a rescheduled encounter, having originally been postponed on 29 August after the match officials failed to arrive. The rearranged meeting was held up again on Monday by the late arrival of the officiating team, delaying kick-off before the match could finally get underway.
Once the match began, Bullets settled into their rhythm and created the clearer openings. Enos Hendeman provided the decisive moment in the 36th minute, firing home from outside the area after a flowing attacking move.
The result extended Henry Kabichi’s side’s winning run to nine matches and took Bullets to 34 points, confirming their place at the top of the table at the end of the first round.
Hendeman provides the breakthrough
Bullets started with purpose, moving the ball quickly and looking to exploit spaces in the visiting defence.
Hendeman had the first opening in the 14th minute after being picked out by Vincent Kampira, following an initial pass from Jazilu Bannet, but his effort drifted wide.
Kampira continued to cause problems down the right, delivering a dangerous cross five minutes later before finding Hendeman from a corner in the 21st minute. The midfielder could not direct his attempt on target, while another Kampira delivery was cleared as Bullets continued to build pressure.
The breakthrough looked close in the 30th minute when Hendeman created space for Kampira, whose effort beat Chitimbe but struck the crossbar.
Six minutes later, the deadlock was broken.
Kampira picked out Francis Malikebu’s run, with the captain laying the ball into the path of Kondwani Chaula, who quickly released Hendeman. The midfielder took aim from outside the area and struck cleanly beyond Chitimbe to give Bullets the lead.
The home side almost doubled their advantage two minutes later when Hendeman found Zaneel Jussab inside the area. The wingback opted for his right foot, but Chitimbe was well positioned to make the save.
The Boyz made their first change before the interval, with Lenard Magwaya replacing the injured Allan Nthelubu.
Bullets took their one-goal advantage into the break.
A well-managed second half
Bullets resumed on the front foot and almost doubled their advantage inside the opening minute of the second half, but Chitimbe came off his line to claim Hendeman’s delivery from the flank.
The Boyz responded with a double change in the 52nd minute, introducing Mike Kalanda and Isaac Okeowo for Brown Allan and Alex Chikopa.
The visitors struggled to turn that change into sustained pressure as Bullets maintained their shape and limited clear openings.
Julius Banda dealt comfortably with a promising free kick in the 57th minute before the visitors were reduced to ten men two minutes later. Magwaya was cautioned for a foul on Kampira before Emmanuel Mkawa received a second yellow card for dissent and was sent off.
Bullets looked to make the numerical advantage count. Bannet went close from a free kick in the 67th minute before Kabichi made a quadruple change two minutes later, bringing on Duncan Kumbuyo, Kondwani Mhone, Limbitso Chimanjamanja and Verson Mudu.
Mhone’s introduction marked his return from a lengthy injury lay-off.
The Reserves continued to push for a second, with Mudu coming closest in the 78th minute. Set up by Malikebu, the substitute’s effort beat Chitimbe but struck the post, with the visitors recovering to clear for a corner.
Kampira played the resulting set piece short to Mhone, whose effort was saved by Chitimbe.
The goalkeeper was called into action again in the 82nd minute, collecting Jussab’s dangerous delivery into the area, while Mayuni cleared a free kick at the other end three minutes later as the visitors searched for a route back into the game.
Mhone and Malikebu combined from another short corner in the 87th minute, but Malikebu’s return effort narrowly missed the target.
The visitors made their final change a minute later, bringing on Pemba Aboubakar for Mike Kapalamula.
Bullets were forced into a late change of their own when Alex White replaced the injured Chimanjamanja in the 89th minute.
Five minutes of added time followed, but Bullets saw out the closing stages to secure a second successive clean sheet and a ninth consecutive victory.
The win sends the Reserves into the first-round break at the top of the SRFA FINCA Division One League.
Kabichi: We still have work to do
Kabichi was pleased with the result and the defensive solidity his side showed, particularly after another clean sheet at the end of the first round.
“Keeping two clean sheets in our last two games is important because it gives us confidence and shows that we are improving defensively.”
The second delay was another unusual element to the fixture, and Kabichi acknowledged that the wait had a slight effect on his players’ focus.
“The delay affected the players a little, but credit to them, they managed to refocus and get themselves into the game.”
Monday’s victory extended the winning run to nine matches and secured first-round top spot. For Kabichi, the run has also helped build belief within a young squad.
“Winning nine games in a row has given these young players a lot of confidence. Finishing the first round on top is a good achievement, but we know there is still a lot of work to do.”
The first-round break now gives the technical team time to address the areas that need improvement.
“We have done well in terms of results, but there are still things we need to improve, especially our finishing, decision-making and how we manage different situations during games.”
Those improvements remain part of a broader development process, with Kabichi keeping the progression of his young players at the centre of the project.
“The most important thing is the development of these boys. We want them to keep learning and improving. The winning mentality is important, but their development remains our main focus.”
Kabichi also acknowledged the supporters whose backing has accompanied the Reserves throughout their run.
“I would also like to thank our supporters for continuing to encourage these young players. Their support gives the boys confidence.”
What It Means
The victory takes Bullets Reserves to 34 points and confirms Henry Kabichi’s side as first-round leaders, while extending their winning run to nine matches.
They finish the opening phase having scored 28 goals, with back-to-back clean sheets in their final two matches providing a strong finish to the campaign.
Kabichi’s side now enter the break at the top of the table before returning for the second round.
Bullets Reserves XI
41 Julius Banda; 65 Vincent Kampira, 56 Precious Juma, 62 Mtende Mayuni, 46 Zaneel Jussab, 59 Yankho Phiri, 47 Francis Malikebu, 51 Enos Hendeman (58 Limbitso Chimanjamanja 69′, 55 Alex White 89′), 44 Limbani Manyamba (64 Duncan Kumbuyo 69′), 57 Kondwani Chaula (50 Kondwani Mhone 69′), 45 Jazilu Bannet (66 Verson Mudu 69′).
Substitutes Not Used
43 Ganizani Banda, 63 Daniel White, 53 Brian Mwase, 68 Charles Kasalanga.
Match Statistics
Goals
Bullets Reserves: Enos Hendeman 36′.
The Boyz: None.
Bookings
Bullets Reserves: Francis Malikebu 73′.
The Boyz: Lenard Magwaya 59′; Emmanuel Mkawa 59′ (second yellow, sent off).
Match Details
Fixture: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves vs The Boyz
Competition: SRFA FINCA Division One League
Date: 21 September 2026
Venue: Kamuzu Stadium, Blantyre
Result: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves 1-0 The Boyz
