FCB Nyasa Big Bullets delivered a commanding performance at Balaka Stadium, dismantling Changalume Barracks 5-0 in a friendly match.
Riding high from the emphatic 3-0 victory over Mchinji Villa FC in another friendly last week, The People’s Team geared up for another test, facing a military outfit as we sharpened preparations for the upcoming TNM Super League clash with Dedza Dynamos away on Wednesday.
To stay sharp during a two-week hiatus caused by the Malawi national team’s participation in the 2024 CHAN qualifiers against South Africa, Bullets faced off against the two second-tier teams.
The opening half…
It took just six minutes for Bullets to open the scoring at Balaka Stadium. Maxwell Phodo pounced early, volleying past the exposed goalkeeper Precious Kamphenga to make it 1-0.
After breaking the deadlock, Bullets created wave after wave of chances, asserting complete control over the Zomba military side. Phodo set up Babatunde Adepoju, but Kamphenga reacted well to deny the forward from doubling our lead.
Twenty minutes in, Mike Mkwate found Babatunde in space with a precise pass, but again, Kamphenga was up to the task, saving a tame shot.
Changalume Barracks had yet to register a single attempt on goal, a testament to Bullets’ dominance throughout the opening exchanges.
Phodo nearly grabbed his second in the 25th minute after being picked out by Mkwate, but his volley missed the left upright by a whisker.
Bullets were relentless. Another Babatunde-Phodo combination nearly paid off, but Kamphenga, now the busier keeper, smothered the effort.
Yamikani Mologeni, provider of the first goal, surged down the right and set up Mkwate, whose shot, unfortunately, soared over the bar.
But with just three minutes left in the opening half, Lameck Gamphani got on the scoresheet, expertly slotting home after a sharp run and a pinpoint pass from Ernest Petro. Bullets went into the interval firmly in command at 2-0.
The final half…
After the break, Ephraim Kondowe came on for Babatunde Adepoju, while Chisomo Wala and Amidu Mapira made way for Alick Theu and Andrea Chipanda for the visitors.
Bullets continued to dictate play after the restart, dominating possession though not able to convert the chances, with much of the action concentrated in midfield.
The Gilbert Chirwa-led technical panel responded by bringing on Sean McBrams and Hassan Kajoke in the 63rd minute, replacing Gamphani and Phodo.
McBrams made an immediate impact. In the 65th minute, he dazzled with a dynamic run, skipping past three opponents before serving up a perfect pass for Kondowe, who made no mistake to make it 3-0.
Barely two minutes later, it was 4-0. Kajoke finished with ease, capitalizing on an error from Kamphenga following another incisive move by Petro.
The onslaught continued in the 72nd minute when Kondowe bagged his second goal, finishing smartly after being picked out, unmarked, in the box by Kajoke, who had been teed up by Mkwate in the build-up.
Both sides made further substitutions in the closing stages. Precious Maulidi and Bon Walusa replaced Emmanuel Sikelo and Emmanuel Maijala for Changalume, while Bullets brought on Clever Mkungula, Edward Thengo, Dominic Musonda, Chikumbutso Henderson, and Cedrick Maxwell for Mologeni, Blessings Mpokera, Blessings Joseph, Innocent Nyasulu, and Mkwate.
Changalume had two late opportunities to pull one or two back, but Mkungula made two sharp saves to preserve Bullets’ emphatic clean sheet.
Up next…
Bullets travel to Dedza for an away league encounter against Dedza Dynamos after a two-week pause.
