FCB Nyasa Big Bullets played out a goalless draw away to Ekhaya in Sunday afternoon’s FDH Bank Premiership encounter at Mpira Stadium.
James Lumbe struck the crossbar for the hosts in the first half, while Ephraim Kondowe had a second-half effort ruled out for offside.
The result extended Bullets’ unbeaten league run under Wedson Nyirenda to four matches, comprising two wins and two draws.
Lumbe rattles the crossbar
Nyirenda made three changes to the side that faced Ekhaya in last weekend’s Airtel Top 8 quarterfinal second leg.
Andrew Jovinala, Chawanangwa Gumbo and Peter Banda replaced Blessings Mpokera, Frank Willard and Misheck Billiat, with all three earning their first starts under Nyirenda.
Gumbo took the captain’s armband in Mpokera’s absence.
The hosts made a bright start and created the first opportunity inside the opening minute, but Allen Chihana’s attempt was comfortably gathered by Innocent Nyasulu.
Samuel Khedira Rukura tested the Bullets goalkeeper four minutes later after Chimwemwe Chunga played a free-kick short, but his effort went straight into Nyasulu’s hands.
Bullets created their first opening in the 13th minute after Clever Kalambo played a corner short to Yamikani Mologeni.
The defender laid the ball off to Banda, whose attempt was blocked by the Ekhaya wall.
Mologeni then delivered an excellent ball into the area for Kondowe, but the forward could not make a clean connection.
Kondowe had another attempt deflected behind for a corner in the 18th minute before Clever Mkungula gathered Banda’s delivery.
Ekhaya came closest to opening the scoring in the 31st minute when Lumbe’s powerful attempt crashed against the crossbar.
Banda had another opportunity from a free-kick five minutes later, but his delivery struck the wall.
Lumbe threatened again in the 41st minute, firing into the side-netting from a dangerous free-kick conceded on the edge of the Bullets penalty area.
The People’s Team created two late openings before the interval.
George Chaomba’s attempt was comfortably saved by Mkungula before Kalambo failed to apply the finishing touch to Mologeni’s excellent delivery in added time.
Bullets step up after the restart
Bullets returned for the second half with greater attacking intent and won two early corners.
Banda’s delivery from the second found Jovinala inside the area, but the defender’s attempt was saved by Mkungula, who also dealt comfortably with the resulting corner.
Kalambo was presented with a clear opportunity in the 57th minute after being left unmarked inside the box, but he fired straight at the Ekhaya goalkeeper.
Nyirenda made a double substitution two minutes later, introducing Madalitso Safuli and Billiat for Banda and Chaomba.
Wongani Lungu then had a chance to break the deadlock from close range, but the midfielder sent his effort wide.
At the other end, Bullets survived a scare in the 72nd minute when Lumbe received a dangerous ball from Chunga and fired narrowly past Nyasulu’s right-hand post.
The hosts failed to capitalise on the resulting corner.
Kondowe denied by the flag
Kondowe found the back of the net in the 75th minute, but the forward’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Ekhaya substitute Levison Mnyenyembe went close with five minutes remaining, sending his attempt narrowly wide of Nyasulu’s left-hand post.
Bullets created another opportunity two minutes later when Kondowe picked out an unmarked Safuli on the edge of the box, but the midfielder fired over the crossbar.
Eight minutes were added at the end of the contest, but neither side could find the breakthrough as the points were shared at Mpira Stadium.
Bullets will now turn their attention to their next FDH Bank Premiership assignment as they look to build on their unbeaten league run under Nyirenda.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets XI
24 Innocent Nyasulu; 31 Prince Chiumia, 2 Yamikani Mologeni, 21 Andrew Jovinala, 26 Emmanuel Kaunga; 29 Chawanangwa Gumbo (C), 19 Wongani Lungu, 7 Peter Banda (12 Madalitso Safuli 59’); 11 Clever Kalambo, 22 George Chaomba (28 Misheck Billiat 59’); 13 Ephraim Kondowe.
Substitutes not used
23 McLean Mwale, 17 Yankho Singo, 6 Frank Willard, 9 Hassan Kajoke, 25 Edward Thengo, 18 Dastan Banda, 27 Henry Chiwaya.
Ekhaya FC XI
31 Clever Mkungula; 14 Andrew Lameck (C) (21 Charles Mafaiti 82’), 4 Vincent Salawila, 5 Aubrey Simbi, 7 Isaiah Nyirenda (98 Levison Mnyenyembe 65’); 11 Chimwemwe Chunga, 19 Happy Mphepo, 20 Allen Chihana (23 Wongani Kaponya 90’), 25 James Lumbe, 29 Samuel Khedira Rukura, 47 Blessings Malinda (8 Moses Banda 65’).
Substitutes not used
13 Lucky Tizola, 16 Joseph Saiwa, 18 Davie Juwawo, 22 Mathews George, 27 Gift Chunga.
Match Statistics
Goals: None.
Bookings: Prince Chiumia (Bullets); James Lumbe, Blessings Malinda, Vincent Salawila (Ekhaya).
Match Details
Fixture: Ekhaya FC vs FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
Competition: FDH Bank Premiership
Date: 19 July 2026
Venue: Mpira Stadium, Blantyre
Result: Ekhaya 0-0 Bullets.
