A moment of quality from the bench broke Civil Service United’s resistance and secured another valuable three points at Mpira Stadium.
Paul Master delivered the decisive strike as FCB Nyasa Big Bullets edged Civil Service United 1-0 on Saturday to move four points clear at the top of the FDH Bank Premiership.
Introduced at half-time, the midfielder settled a closely contested encounter in the 83rd minute with a powerful effort that gave Rahaman John no chance.
Victory takes Wedson Nyirenda’s men to 39 points from 18 matches, four ahead of Mighty Wanderers, who visit Karonga United on Sunday. It also extends our unbeaten league run to seven games, all without conceding.
The win also takes Bullets’ return against the Servants to four points this season, following a 2-2 draw in Lilongwe in the first round.
John Denies Early Breakthrough
Nyirenda made two changes to the side that defeated MAFCO last weekend, with Maclean Mwale replacing Innocent Nyasulu in goal and Peter Banda coming in for Misheck Billiat.
Nyasulu missed the match following the death of his father earlier in the day, while captain Blessings Mpokera retained his place after a pre-match fitness concern over his knee.
Civil were without on-loan midfielder Oscar Petro and forward Dastan Banda, both ineligible to face their parent club under the loan agreements between the two sides.
Their starting XI included former Bullets Reserves teammates Rahaman John and Kesten Simbi. Simbi went on to represent our first team, while John departed following a loan spell at Bangwe All Stars, whom he joined from our second side in 2023.
John was called into action inside the opening minute, producing a superb save to turn Wongani Lungu’s long-range effort behind.
Civil defended the resulting corner as Bullets looked to make early pressure count, before Simbi was booked for bringing down Prince Chiumia in the seventh minute.
Civil Hold Firm
The visitors gradually settled, with neither side able to create sustained pressure.
Civil threatened in the 19th minute when Simbi delivered towards Precious Chiudza, but the forward could not connect from close range.
Bullets responded through sharp interplay between Yamikani Mologeni and Clever Kalambo, although Peter Banda’s cross was gathered by John.
Banda went closer in the 32nd minute, sending a free-kick from a promising position inches over the bar.
Billiat replaced him three minutes later, but the breakthrough remained elusive as the sides reached the interval level.
Changes Bring Fresh Impetus
Nyirenda introduced Master and Tinaye Tsimba for Chawanangwa Gumbo and Lungu at half-time as Bullets sought a way through.
Billiat fashioned an opening in the 51st minute, creating space before firing a left-footed effort wide.
George Chaomba replaced Ephraim Kondowe a minute later, adding another attacking option as the hosts began to threaten more regularly.
Tsimba could not make a clean connection with Mologeni’s corner, before Civil defended a second delivery.
A clearer opportunity followed in the 54th minute.
Chaomba released Kalambo down the left, but John saved the winger’s effort. Tsimba reached the rebound inside the area but was unable to make clean contact.
Civil maintained their resistance and made a double change in the 64th minute, introducing Saulos Moyo and Precious Chipungu for Madalitso Maso and Thomson Magombo.
With 15 minutes of normal time remaining, Tsimba sent an effort inches wide of John’s right-hand post.
The visitors then had an opening of their own, with Chiudza firing off target in the 79th minute.
Master Settles The Contest
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 83rd minute, when Master unleashed a fierce effort beyond John to reward Bullets’ persistence.
The visitors sought an immediate response through a corner, but Emmanuel Kaunga dealt with the danger as Bullets set about protecting their lead.
Civil team manager Gabriel Chirwa was shown a red card in the 87th minute, before Frank Willard replaced Kalambo as the match entered five minutes of added time.
Bullets saw out the closing stages to secure all three points and a seventh successive league clean sheet.
Master’s match-winning contribution earned him the Player of the Match award as Nyirenda’s side strengthened their hold on top spot.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets XI
23 Maclean Mwale; 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 (19 Tinaye Tsimba 46’); 11 Clever Kalambo (6 Frank Willard 90’), 13 Peter Banda (28 Misheck Billiat 35’); 9 Ephraim Kondowe (22 George Chaomba 52’).
Substitutes not used
1 Pilirani Mapira, 52 Kondwani Tebulo, 27 Alihaji Mnjale, 20 Maxwell Gasten Phodo.
Civil Service United XI
16 Rahaman John; 11 Righteous Banda (C) (15 Shukurani Mwawa 90+4’), 19 Chifundo Damba, 25 Kesten Simbi, 2 John Dambuleni, 27 Thomson Magombo (28 Precious Chipungu 64’), 5 Gracious Kapachika, 13 Joseph Ziwa, 14 Madalitso Maso (44 Saulos Moyo 64’), 6 Khumbo Mhone, 23 Precious Chiudza.
Substitutes not used
1 Richard Mwaila, 3 Andrew Khalika, 22 John Black, 12 Vincent Chiniko, 7 Frank Chizuze, 9 Gift Kadawati.
Match Statistics
Goal: Paul Master 83’ (Bullets).
Bookings: Kesten Simbi 7’, Khumbo Mhone 90+3’ (Civil); Tinaye Tsimba 90+1’ (Bullets).
Sent off: Gabriel Chirwa 87’ (Civil team manager).
Player of the Match: Paul Master (Bullets).
Match Details
Fixture: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets vs Civil Service United
Competition: FDH Bank Premiership
Date: 24 October 2026
Venue: Mpira Stadium
Result: Bullets 1-0 Civil Service United.
