A late double from our Zimbabwean forward sealed a 3-0 victory over MAFCO after Clever Kalambo’s opener, sending Bullets back to the Premiership summit.
Tinaye Tsimba announced himself in style with a late double off the bench as FCB Nyasa Big Bullets swept past MAFCO 3-0 at Civo Stadium on Sunday to reclaim top spot in the FDH Bank Premiership.
Making only his second competitive appearance, the forward struck in the 87th minute and again in added time after Kalambo’s 13th-minute opener.
The result takes Wedson Nyirenda’s side to 36 points from 17 matches, one ahead of Mighty Wanderers, while extending our unbeaten league run to six games, all without conceding.
Kalambo Rewards Bright Start
Nyirenda made one change to the side that defeated Blue Eagles last weekend, with Yankho Singo replacing Frank Willard in midfield.
Bullets started strongly and threatened inside two minutes when Prince Chiumia’s free-kick found an unmarked Chawanangwa Gumbo in the area, but Owen Mbale saved his effort.
Emmanuel Kaunga then came close from successive corners. His first attempt was blocked behind before he met Kalambo’s delivery with a header against the post in the fourth minute.
The early pressure brought its reward nine minutes later.
Paul Ndhlovu cleared Yamikani Mologeni’s free-kick into the area, but Kalambo collected the loose ball and lifted a composed finish beyond Mbale to give Bullets the lead.
MAFCO responded through Prince Kachere, whose effort from outside the box was saved by Innocent Nyasulu in the 18th minute.
Kalambo nearly doubled his tally in the 23rd minute, making an excellent run down the right before firing narrowly wide.
MAFCO Grow Into the Contest
The hosts began to settle as the half progressed and came close to an equaliser in the 32nd minute when Awalu Alli struck Nyasulu’s right-hand post.
MAFCO enjoyed more possession and worked their way into promising positions, but lacked the composure to turn those moments into a goal.
Bullets had another scare shortly before the interval when a defensive lapse presented the hosts with an opening inside our penalty area.
The Soldiers could not capitalise, however, and we recovered to clear the danger.
Kalambo’s strike remained the difference at the break.
Bullets Push for a Second
Nyirenda introduced Paul Master for Gumbo at half-time, while the hosts brought on Chifundo Moloson for Kachere.
Bullets threatened three minutes after the restart when Kalambo combined with Ephraim Kondowe to get into the area, only to fire over the bar.
Misheck Billiat then picked out Wongani Lungu with an excellent pass in the 54th minute, but Mbale denied the midfielder from close range.
MAFCO continued to pose a threat from set pieces, with Bullets defending a delivery from a dangerous position before Nyirenda made his second change.
George Chaomba replaced Lungu in the 61st minute and almost made an immediate impact.
The substitute pounced on a defensive error, but Mbale produced a superb save to turn his effort behind for a corner.
Chaomba went closer still in the 65th minute, striking the post with a powerful shot before Kondowe headed the rebound off target.
Tsimba Delivers Decisive Double
Tsimba replaced goalscorer Kalambo in the 77th minute as Bullets continued to search for the second goal.
The forward was booked for simulation after a penalty appeal was waved away, then went close with a shot narrowly wide of Mbale’s right-hand post following a strong run into the area.
His breakthrough arrived in the 87th minute.
Tsimba beat two defenders before slotting beyond Mbale to score his first competitive goal for the club and give The People’s Team breathing space.
Willard replaced Kondowe in the first minute of added time, but Bullets were not finished.
In the 94th minute, Chaomba supplied Tsimba, who finished past Mbale again to complete his brace and seal an emphatic finish.
The forward’s decisive contribution earned him the Player of the Match award on a memorable afternoon in Lilongwe.
Bullets saw out the remaining moments to register a sixth successive league clean sheet and return to the summit with a second win since the restart.
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 (8 Paul Master 46’), 10 Wongani Lungu (22 George Chaomba 61’); 11 Clever Kalambo (19 Tinaye Tsimba 77’), 28 Misheck Billiat; 9 Ephraim Kondowe (6 Frank Willard 90+1’).
Substitutes not used
23 McLean Mwale, 52 Kondwani Tebulo, 27 Alihaji Mnjale, 5 Sheku Sheriff, 20 Maxwell Phodo.
MAFCO XI
99 Owen Mbale; 14 Paul Ndhlovu (C), Geoffrey Kadzitche (16 Ben Mbewe 77’), 3 Duncan Mwale, 12 Awalu Alli (27 Henry Mulaleya 63’), 18 Vitumbiko Phiri, 45 Clifford Msowoya (2 Zikani Sichinga 63’), 47 Prince Kachere (11 Chifundo Moloson 46’), 70 Francis Black, 78 Lumbani Mkandawire (22 Alexander Sukwambe 82’), 90 Innocent Makawano.
Substitutes not used
5 Wakisa Kalinga, 7 Kingsley Nkhonjera, 41 Ronald Mussa, 71 Benjamin Msaku.
Match Statistics
Goals: Clever Kalambo 13’, Tinaye Tsimba 87’, 90+4’ (Bullets).
Bookings: Duncan Mwale 73’ (MAFCO); Tinaye Tsimba 78’ (Bullets).
Player of the Match: Tinaye Tsimba (Bullets).
Match Details
Fixture: MAFCO vs FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
Competition: FDH Bank Premiership
Date: 18 October 2026
Venue: Civo Stadium, Lilongwe
Result: MAFCO 0-3 Bullets.
