Ephraim Kondowe’s first-half opener and a dramatic late own goal secured Wedson Nyirenda’s first FDH Bank Premiership victory as FCB Nyasa Big Bullets defeated Kamuzu Barracks 2-1 at Civo Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The People’s Team appeared on course for a routine afternoon after controlling much of the opening exchanges and taking an early lead through Kondowe.
However, the hosts mounted a spirited second-half response and restored parity through substitute Olson Kanjira, setting up a tense finish in the capital.
With the contest seemingly headed for a draw, Chibvunde’s dramatic late own goal handed Maule all three points and preserved the club’s unbeaten start to the campaign.
Kondowe Rewards Bright Start
Maule settled quickly and immediately began asking questions of the Kamuzu Barracks defence.
Kondowe threatened inside the opening two minutes as The People’s Team won successive corners before Maxwell Phodo headed wide from Yamikani Mologeni’s delivery moments later.
The breakthrough arrived in the eighth minute when Kondowe broke the deadlock, giving Bullets a deserved lead after an impressive opening spell.
The visitors continued to dominate possession and territory. Phodo blasted over from close range after another well-worked move before Kondowe tested Hastings Banda with a header from a Mologeni corner.
Kamuzu Barracks’ best opportunity of the half came from a free-kick that drifted narrowly wide of Innocent Nyasulu’s post.
Bullets remained firmly in control for the remainder of the opening period, carrying a deserved 1-0 lead into the interval after registering nine corners to the hosts’ two.
Kanjira Restores Parity
Kamuzu Barracks emerged from the interval with renewed intensity and made a double change, introducing Olson Kanjira and Christopher Mtambo.
The hosts immediately began asking questions of the Bullets backline and forced Nyasulu into action as momentum started to swing in their favour.
Maule continued to look dangerous in transition. Kondowe saw an effort blocked before another corner came to nothing, while Nyirenda introduced Misheck Billiat and Yankho Singo just after the hour mark in search of fresh energy.
The equaliser arrived in the 66th minute.
After Bullets failed to deal with a dangerous delivery into the area, substitute Kanjira rose highest to steer a header into the bottom far corner beyond Nyasulu and restore parity for the hosts.
The goal swung momentum firmly in favour of Kamuzu Barracks, who enjoyed their strongest spell of the match and created further opportunities as they searched for a winner.
Maule Find Late Winner
Billiat almost helped restore Bullets’ lead when his inviting delivery found Kondowe, but the assistant referee’s flag halted the move for offside.
Mologeni then tried his luck from a free-kick before Kamuzu Barracks continued to threaten, forcing Nyasulu into another important save and sending further efforts narrowly off target.
Just when the contest appeared to be drifting towards a share of the spoils, Maule found a decisive breakthrough.
In the 89th minute, Chibvunde attempted to head the ball back to his goalkeeper but instead diverted it into his own net, sparking celebrations among the travelling support and handing The People’s Team a dramatic late advantage.
Kamuzu Barracks threw bodies forward in stoppage time and won a series of corners, but Nyasulu and the Bullets defence stood firm to secure all three points.
Mologeni capped an outstanding afternoon by collecting the FDH Bank Premiership Player of the Match award after another assured display at both ends of the pitch.
The defender, who had earned glowing praise from Nyirenda during the week, repaid that faith with a mature performance as Maule secured a hard-fought victory in the capital.
The result handed Nyirenda his first league win as Bullets head coach, extending The People’s Team’s unbeaten start to the campaign and ensuring the visitors returned to Blantyre with maximum points.
Bullets XI
24 Innocent Nyasulu; 2 Yamikani Mologeni, 4 Blessings Mpokera (C), 26 Emmanuel Kaunga, 31 Prince Chiumia; 8 Paul Master (17 Yankho Singo 64’), 19 Wongani Lungu (29 Chawanangwa Gumbo 80’); 11 Clever Kalambo, 22 George Chaomba (9 Hassan Kajoke 80’), 20 Maxwell Phodo (28 Misheck Billiat 64’); 13 Ephraim Kondowe.
Substitutes Not Used
1 Pilirani Mapira, 7 Peter Banda, 10 Mike Mkwate, 21 Andrew Jovinala, 27 Henry Chiwaya.
Kamuzu Barracks XI
23 Hastings Banda; 2 Jafali Mpelera, 4 Herbert Wayekha (17 Hope Namadzunda 23’), 5 Samuel Chibvunde, 20 Samuel Gundah (C), 8 Gregory Nachipo (16 Christopher Mtambo 46’), 12 Michael Mtonyo, 13 Mchema John Francis, 44 Gerald Chirwa, 55 Rashid Chiromo (26 Olson Kanjira 46’), 77 Bright Songa.
Match Statistics
Goals
Ephraim Kondowe 8’ (Bullets), Olson Kanjira 66’ (Kamuzu Barracks), Samuel Chibvunde OG 89’ (Kamuzu Barracks).
Bookings
Samuel Chibvunde (Kamuzu Barracks).
Player of the Match
Yamikani Mologeni (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)
Match Details
Fixture: Kamuzu Barracks vs FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
Competition: FDH Bank Premiership
Date: 21 June 2026
Venue: Civo Stadium, Lilongwe
Result: Kamuzu Barracks 1-2 Bullets
