Three FCB Nyasa Big Bullets players—Babatunde Adepoju, Yankho Singo and Chikumbutso Salima—featured for the Malawi National Team on Saturday afternoon as the Flames were held to a 0-0 draw by Lesotho in the first of two international friendlies at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Babatunde and Singo were named in the starting XI by head coach Kalisto Pasuwa, with the Bullets pair showing composure and discipline throughout a tightly contested match. Singo anchored midfield with calm control, while Babatunde worked tirelessly in attack as Malawi searched for a breakthrough.
Chikumbutso Salima, returning to Flames duty after recovering from injury, was introduced in the 78th minute to replace captain Gabadinho Mhango, adding pace and direct running on the flank as Malawi pushed for a late winner.
Meanwhile, Blessings Mpokera, who earned a recall to the national team for this camp, was named on the bench and remained an unused substitute.
A Close Contest in Bloemfontein
Both teams created moments of promise, but neither found the decisive touch in the final third. Malawi enjoyed good spells of possession and looked organised defensively, while Lesotho stayed compact and difficult to unlock.
The match served as a valuable run-out for Pasuwa’s men during the November FIFA international window and offered the Bullets contingent another opportunity to experience international duty at a competitive level.
Second Friendly Set for Tuesday
The Flames and Lesotho meet again on Tuesday, 18 November, at the same venue. The second match will provide Pasuwa another chance to assess combinations and give more international minutes to his squad, including the Bullets quartet, who have all been in strong form for The People’s Team this season.
