FCB Nyasa Big Bullets travel to Lilongwe to face MAFCO at Civo Stadium on Sunday afternoon as we look to reclaim top spot in the FDH Bank Premiership.
The Matchweek 17 encounter kicks off at 15:00 under SULOM’s revised schedule and marks our first away assignment of the second round, following last weekend’s 2–0 victory over Blue Eagles.
Wedson Nyirenda’s men head into the fixture on 33 points, two behind Mighty Wanderers, who moved to the summit with Saturday’s 1–0 win over Creck Sporting Club.
Victory would restore our one-point advantage over the Nomads. To achieve that, Bullets must overcome a MAFCO side seeking a response to defeat at Chitipa United and valuable points in their fight for survival.
FORM GUIDE
The People’s Team head to Civo unbeaten in five league matches, with four wins, a draw and five successive clean sheets.
Wins over Chitipa United and Karonga United were followed by a goalless draw away to Luanar Mitundu before Nyirenda’s men closed the first round with a commanding 5–0 victory over Silver Strikers.
We carried that momentum into the restart last Sunday, with Chawanangwa Gumbo breaking the deadlock against Blue Eagles before Ephraim Kondowe converted from the penalty spot to secure maximum points.
That result took our league record to nine wins, six draws and one defeat from 16 outings.
MAFCO, meanwhile, have collected 13 points from three victories, four draws and nine defeats.
Their second-round opener ended in a 2–0 loss away to Chitipa, leaving the Soldiers seeking their first points since the restart.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Bullets are unbeaten in the last five league meetings with MAFCO, recording four wins and a draw, with seven goals scored and one conceded.
Our first-round encounter ended in a hard-fought 1–0 victory at Joyce Chitsulo Stadium in Mwanza, following last season’s double over the Soldiers.
We won 1–0 away and 3–0 at home last term, building on a 1–1 away draw and a 1–0 home victory in 2024.
That leaves Bullets with four successive league wins over MAFCO without conceding, although three were decided by a single goal.
THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER
Bullets have scored ten goals without reply across our last five league matches.
Our season totals stand at 22 goals scored and seven conceded, with nine clean sheets in 16 outings.
Kondowe reached double figures in the league with his penalty against Blue Eagles, taking his tally to ten.
MAFCO have scored 12 goals and conceded 19 in their 16 matches.
TEAM NEWS
Chrispin Mapemba remains our only injury absentee as he continues his rehabilitation.
First assistant coach Heston Munthali, who handled the pre-match press conference on behalf of Nyirenda, confirmed that the wingback is improving but has yet to rejoin the group.
The rest of the squad are training, with competition across the departments giving the technical team plenty to consider ahead of selection.
Tinaye Tsimba made his competitive debut against Blue Eagles, and the Zimbabwean forward provides another attacking option as he continues to settle into the side.
COACH’S THOUGHTS
Munthali believes the second-half performance against Blue Eagles provides encouragement ahead of a demanding away assignment.
“The way the players performed against Blue Eagles gives us confidence, especially in the second half, which was superb. We played very good football and scored two goals, and we are optimistic that we can win on Sunday.”
Munthali expects a determined response from opponents fighting for points, but says Bullets’ focus remains on our own performance.
“It is difficult to face a team like MAFCO when they are struggling in the bottom three. They need points, and we are also looking for three points to maintain our winning start.
“We know the wounded soldiers will be difficult opponents, but our concentration is on our own system and approach. We are ready for them.”
OPPOSITION FOCUS
MAFCO bring experience and a physical presence to a fixture that offers them an opportunity to recover from their defeat at Chitipa.
Paul Phiri provides strength in midfield, while captain Paul Ndhlovu is an experienced presence at the heart of their defence. Further forward, Zikani Sichinga offers pace and an outlet when the Soldiers break.
Goalkeeper Owen Mbale impressed in the first-round meeting, helping keep the contest close as Bullets worked for the breakthrough.
Their threat from set pieces and willingness to compete for second balls will demand sustained concentration from Nyirenda’s men.
TACTICAL FOCUS
Bullets will look to establish control through purposeful passing and movement, working MAFCO’s defensive shape to create openings.
The challenge will be to maintain that precision under physical pressure while keeping enough protection behind the ball when attacks break down.
Against opponents capable of sustaining pressure through second balls, the response to the initial challenge will be particularly important.
Set-piece defending will also test the communication and shared responsibility that have underpinned our recent defensive consistency.
KEY BATTLE
Gumbo and his midfield teammates will need to impose themselves against a MAFCO unit featuring the experienced Paul Phiri.
Their task will be to compete strongly for second balls while finding the passes that allow us to move through midfield and bring our forwards into play.
Gumbo’s goal against Blue Eagles also demonstrated the value of well-timed runs from deeper positions. Combining that attacking support with discipline in possession could be important in unsettling the Soldiers.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Three points would take Bullets to 36 and restore a one-point lead over Wanderers at the summit.
It would also secure back-to-back victories since the restart and extend our unbeaten league run to six matches.
For MAFCO, a positive result would strengthen their survival prospects and offer a platform for the weeks ahead.
For The People’s Team, the challenge is to carry last weekend’s second-half authority into a demanding away fixture and leave Civo with maximum points.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga
Assistant Referee 1: Hendrix Maseko
Assistant Referee 2: Innocent Jaha
Fourth Official: Mercy Mziya
Match Assessor: Boswell Msango
MATCH DETAILS
Competition: FDH Bank Premiership
Matchweek: 17
Fixture: MAFCO vs FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
Venue: Civo Stadium, Lilongwe
Date: Sunday, 18 October 2026
Kick-off: 15:00
HOW TO FOLLOW
Supporters unable to make it to Civo Stadium can stream the match live on FIFA+.
Live minute-by-minute updates will also be available across our official social media platforms, while the match report, reaction, highlights and other post-match content will be published across the club’s digital channels after the final whistle.
