FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves climbed into second place in the SRFA FINCA Region Division One League after grinding out a 1-0 victory over Liberty FC at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Kondwani Chaula struck the decisive goal a minute before half-time as Henry Kabichi’s side collected another valuable three points against one of the teams competing at the top end of the table.
Chaula had earlier rattled the crossbar before eventually finding the breakthrough, while the young Bullets showed plenty of resilience after the interval as Liberty pushed hard for a way back into the contest.
Vincent Kampira almost put the result beyond doubt deep into stoppage time when his right-footed effort came back off the upright, but the single goal proved enough to take Bullets onto 22 points and into second place.
Chaula makes the breakthrough
Bullets started brightly and looked to take the initiative from the opening exchanges, although Liberty quickly showed their threat from set-pieces.
Ibrahim Mitochi delivered two early corners into the Bullets area, but goalkeeper Julius Banda was alert on both occasions before Blessings Chiku fired over the crossbar in the 14th minute.
The clearest chance of the opening stages fell to Bullets eight minutes later.
Yankho Phiri started the move before Jazil Bannet delivered an inviting cross into the area for Chaula, whose effort crashed against the crossbar.
Liberty continued to threaten from dead-ball situations and forced Banda into action again in the 27th minute when Mitochi delivered another corner, but the goalkeeper reacted quickly to punch clear.
Bullets began to find more joy going forward as the half developed, with Bannet increasingly influential from the flank.
The winger combined with captain Francis Malikebu from a corner in the 34th minute before sending another dangerous delivery into the area two minutes later, but there was nobody on hand to turn it home.
Liberty threatened again five minutes before the interval when Boniface Ndamera’s corner found Mitochi, whose effort went wide.
Then came the breakthrough.
Malikebu started the move in the 44th minute before Kampira picked out Chaula, who kept his composure to finish past Foster Phiri and give Bullets a deserved lead heading into the break.
Bullets show resilience after the break
Kabichi’s side resumed positively and threatened again five minutes after the restart.
Zaneel Jussab’s free-kick was deflected behind for a corner before he later combined with Kampira, only to send his effort wide.
Liberty, however, gradually began to push higher and increase the pressure as they went in search of an equaliser.
A Mitochi corner in the 61st minute produced a header that went wide, before Malikebu tested Foster Phiri from a free-kick four minutes later after Kampira had been brought down by Chifundo Duwa.
As the hosts committed more bodies forward, Bullets were forced to dig deeper.
Richard Chirwa found space for an effort in the 73rd minute but fired wide, while Jussab continued to play an important role at the other end, clearing another Liberty corner before quickly launching a counter-attack.
The pressure intensified during the closing stages, but the young Bullets continued to stand firm.
Blessings Kambiri passed up Liberty’s best chance to restore parity in the 82nd minute, failing to make the most of a golden opportunity.
Bullets almost responded immediately at the other end when substitute Limbitso Chimanjamanja rose to meet a corner, but Liberty managed to clear his header and stay in the contest.
The hosts kept knocking and won a free-kick in a dangerous position just outside the penalty area in the 88th minute, only for the low effort to be blocked by a determined Bullets defence.
Another chance came as the game entered the 90th minute, but the resulting effort from a cross on the right was blasted over the crossbar.
Four minutes were added, and with Liberty throwing players forward in one final attempt to salvage a point, Bullets almost delivered the decisive second goal on the counter.
Bannet raced forward before picking out Kampira, whose right-footed connection struck the upright in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Bullets nevertheless saw out the remaining moments to secure a hard-earned three points.
Kabichi praises character
Kabichi was pleased with the way his players responded to Liberty’s second-half pressure and showed the discipline required to protect their lead.
“First, congratulations to the boys for the win and for their hard-working spirit throughout the game. It was important for us to manage the game, especially after taking the lead, and I am happy with the way the players showed character to hold on to the result.
“We started the game very well and created some good opportunities, but at some point, we lost concentration and allowed Liberty to put us under pressure. After speaking to the players, they managed to regain their focus and get back into the game. That shows the mentality and discipline we are trying to build within the team.
“However, there are still areas we need to improve. We need to work a lot on our finishing because we are creating chances but failing to make the most of them. We also need to continue improving in other areas of our game if we want to keep winning and competing at a high level.
“The result gives us another important step forward. We are not looking too far ahead; we are taking it one game at a time and focusing on the next challenge.”
Saturday’s fixture was also the Reserves’ first since captain Kondwani Tebulo was recalled to Wedson Nyirenda’s first-team squad.
“We have also started a new chapter without Kondwani Tebulo. It is not always easy when an important player is no longer with the team, but we have worked hard together and we have players who are ready to take responsibility.
“Our job is to encourage them, give them confidence and continue building the team.”
The result moved Bullets into second place on 22 points after Nyambadwe United suffered a 3-1 defeat to leaders Ekhaya Reserves.
Ekhaya remain top on 27 points, with Nyambadwe third on 21, while FC Thondwe and Liberty are both on 20 after Thondwe suffered a 4-0 defeat to The Boyz.
With five consecutive league victories now behind them, Kabichi’s young Bullets sit five points off the summit as their push at the top end of the table continues.
Bullets Reserves XI
Julius Banda, Zaneel Jussab, Precious Juma, Mtende Mayuni, Vincent Kampira, Yankho Phiri, Duncan Kumbuyo (Enos Hendeman 72′), Francis Malikebu (Feston Botoman 87′), Limbani Manyamba (Felix Jalasi 55′), Kondwani Chaula (Limbitso Chimanjamanja 72′), Jazil Bannet.
Substitutes not used: Ganizani Banda, Rashid Nicks, Eustache Baraki, Charles Kasalanga, Henzie Manganyera.
Liberty FC XI
Foster Phiri, Believe June, Joseph Kabila, Alista Sindo, Chifundo Duwa, Blessings Chiku (Richard Chirwa 48′), Ohmo Kangoma (Martin Adam 87′), Ibrahim Mitochi, Alick Julius, Mario Nkhoma, Boniface Ndamera (Blessings Kambiri 55′).
Substitutes not used: Maxwell Makopa, John Dyson, Brave Zimba, Rabson Elliott.
Match statistics
Goals
Liberty FC: None
Bullets Reserves: Kondwani Chaula 44′
Bookings
Liberty FC: Foster Phiri, Chifundo Duwa, Mario Nkhoma, Blessings Kambiri
Bullets Reserves: Mtende Mayuni, Francis Malikebu, Felix Jalasi
Match details
Competition: SRFA FINCA Region Division One League
Match: Liberty FC vs FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves
Venue: Kamuzu Stadium, Blantyre
Date: Saturday, 8 August 2026
Result: Liberty FC 0-1 Bullets Reserves
