Frank Willard’s superb free-kick and Wongani Lungu’s second-half finish secured a 2-0 victory for Bullets in Sunday’s midseason friendly at Zomba Stadium.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets continued preparations for the second round of the 2026/27 season with a 2-0 victory over Changalume Barracks at Zomba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Willard broke the deadlock with a powerful free-kick in the 28th minute before Lungu doubled the advantage eight minutes after the restart, finishing a well-worked move involving Andrew Jovinala and George Chaomba.
All three of our new signings — Alihaji Mnjale, Sheku Sheriff and Tinaye Tsimba — featured in their first appearances for the club as Wedson Nyirenda’s side made another positive step in their midseason preparations.
Willard Breaks the Deadlock
Bullets started brightly, with Sheriff’s corner finding Andrew Jovinala in the box in the 10th minute, but the defender headed wide.
Sheriff delivered another corner two minutes later, but the hosts defended well to clear the danger.
Changalume threatened from a set piece in the 38th minute, but Chawanangwa Gumbo was on hand to clear George Mpulura’s delivery.
The hosts came close again five minutes later when Blessings Malenia found space, but McLean Mwale produced a fine save before Bullets dealt with the resulting corner.
At the other end, Sean McBrams dragged a close-range effort wide, while Tsimba was later flagged offside after McBrams had released him inside the box.
The breakthrough arrived in the 28th minute.
Willard stepped up to a free-kick and unleashed a powerful effort beyond Francis Mkanda to put The People’s Team ahead.
Sheriff then came close to creating a second when he picked out Gumbo inside the box in the 34th minute, but the captain lifted his effort over with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Bullets took their narrow advantage into the interval.
Lungu Doubles the Advantage
Nyirenda made five changes at half-time, bringing on Maxwell Phodo, George Chaomba, Yamikani Mologeni, Wongani Lungu and Emmanuel Kaunga.
The People’s Team continued to control proceedings after the restart, with Willard standing firm to clear an early Changalume free-kick.
Sheriff remained a threat from set pieces, delivering another corner in the 48th minute, but there was no one on hand to meet the ball.
Changalume were awarded a free-kick inside the Bullets box four minutes later, but the resulting effort was straight at Mwale.
Bullets doubled their lead in the 53rd minute.
Jovinala and Chaomba exchanged passes before Chaomba found Lungu unmarked inside the box. The new No. 10 kept his composure to slot home and make it 2-0.
Sheriff almost added another five minutes later, but his effort from inside the box sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
Another Sheriff corner then found Chaomba at the near post, but the substitute fired wide.
Bullets See Out Midseason Victory
Changalume continued to search for a way back into the contest, but Bullets remained composed as the second half progressed.
Ahamad was booked for dissent in the 67th minute, while Mologeni was cautioned later in the half.
The People’s Team managed the closing stages effectively, limiting the hosts and maintaining their two-goal advantage.
Bullets came close to a third in stoppage time when Chaomba produced an excellent individual run, taking on three defenders before seeing his effort crash against the post.
There was no further scoring as Bullets completed a 2-0 victory in their second midseason friendly.
The final friendly of the midseason break comes next Sunday, when The People’s Team travel to Mchinji to face NBS Bank National Division League side Extreme FC at Aubrey Dimba Stadium.
The encounter will be the final test before the return of FDH Bank Premiership action, with Bullets opening the second round against Blue Eagles on 11 October.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets XI
23 Maclean Mwale; 21 Andrew Jovinala, 3 Ahmad Kung’unde (20 Maxwell Phodo 46’), 27 Alihaji Mnjale, 30 Aaron Chilipa (22 George Chaomba 46’); 6 Frank Willard, 5 Sheku Sheriff, 29 Chawanangwa Gumbo (C) (2 Yamikani Mologeni 46’); 14 Sean McBrams (26 Emmanuel Kaunga 46’), 13 Peter Banda (10 Wongani Lungu 46’); 19 Tinaye Tsimba.
Substitutes not used
24 Innocent Nyasulu, 1 Pilirani Mapira.
Changalume Barracks XI
01 Francis Mkanda; 24 Watson Kondawe, 5 George Mpulura, 25 Precious Maganga, 3 Lasuli Ahamad; 8 Happy Hendresan, 10 Blessings Malenia, 7 Ackim Mponda (11 Precious Maulidi 60’), 9 Frackson Meleki (30 A. Chiramba 60’), 22 Emmanuel Sikelo; 2 Stevie Kayuni (12 Alingafe Domwe 84’).
Substitutes not used
99 Precious Kamphenga, 6 K. Kamanga, Amid Mapira, 20 Alick Theu, Precious Wahala, 14 Elinso Wala, 21 Dick Mpanya.
Match Statistics
Goals: Frank Willard 28’, Wongani Lungu 53’ (Bullets).
Bookings: Tinaye Tsimba 14’, Frank Willard 35’, Aaron Chilipa 45+3’, Yamikani Mologeni 75’ (Bullets); Lasuli Ahamad 67’ (Changalume).
Match Details
Fixture: Changalume Barracks vs FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
Competition: Midseason Friendly
Date: 27 September 2026
Venue: Zomba Stadium
Result: Changalume Barracks 0-2 FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
