Bullets Women exited the Mayor’s Bonanza on penalties as Thokozani Mwase made her final appearance, while the Under-19s’ unbeaten start came to an end.
Wedson Nyirenda’s side had no fixture over the weekend as the FDH Bank Premiership paused to accommodate the Airtel Top 8 final.
Across the rest of the club, Bullets Reserves saw their Saturday fixture against The Boyz postponed before Bullets Women were edged out by Ekhaya in Sunday’s Mayor’s Bonanza semi-final.
The Under-19s then suffered their first league defeat against Agumbala Stars on Monday, while our players on loan had a weekend without competitive action.
Here’s a closer look at the latest action across the club.
Reserves
Bullets Reserves were not in action on Saturday after their meeting with The Boyz was postponed at Kamuzu Stadium.
Both teams had reported to the venue and completed their preparations, but the fixture could not proceed after the appointed match officials failed to arrive.
Henry Kabichi’s side remain second in the standings with 28 points and two matches left to complete their first-round schedule.
A new date for the fixture will be communicated once confirmed by the SRFA.
Fixture update: Bullets Reserves fixture against The Boyz postponed.
Women
Bullets Women’s run in the inaugural SRWFA Mayor’s Bonanza ended with a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Ekhaya following a goalless semi-final at Mpira Stadium on Sunday.
After Ekhaya made the stronger start, Bullets grew into the contest and delivered an improved performance after the interval but could not find the breakthrough.
Leah Mussa, Carlo Mlenzo and Lyna James converted from the spot, while Mary Chavinda and Shalon Dzimau missed their attempts as Ekhaya advanced to the final.
The result brought the campaign to a close after Bullets opened the competition with a 12-0 quarter-final victory over Chilomoni Ladies, with Chavinda scoring eight times.
Match report: Bullets Women edged by Ekhaya on penalties.
A farewell to Mwase
Sunday’s semi-final also marked Thokozani Mwase’s final appearance in Bullets colours.
The goalkeeper’s association with the team stretches back more than a decade, beginning with Blantyre Zero before the club acquired the side in 2022.
Mwase was part of a successful period that delivered two Southern Region league titles and the 2022 FAM National Women’s Championship.
Her late save against Ekhaya helped take the semi-final to penalties before she received a warm send-off from her teammates and members of the technical staff.
Club statement: Thokozani Mwase departs Bullets.
Under-19
Bullets Under-19 suffered their first defeat of the FCB Katswiri Under-19 League campaign after losing 1-0 to Agumbala Stars at Mpira Stadium on Monday morning.
Rowland Nthumbu struck the decisive goal in the 24th minute as Yamikani Fodya’s youngsters saw their seven-match unbeaten start come to an end.
The young Bullets remain on 17 points from eight matches, six behind leaders Ekhaya Youth, who have played one game more.
Agumbala sit second on 19 points, while Soche Madrid occupy third place with 18—one ahead of Bullets after the same number of matches.
Match report: Bullets U19s suffer first league defeat.
On Loan Watch
With the FDH Bank Premiership pausing for the Airtel Top 8 final, Oscar Petro had a weekend without competitive action at Civil Service United.
Prince Chalera, Hadji Steven and Cedric Maxwell also began their first-round break with Bangwe All Stars following the conclusion of the NBS Bank National Division League first round.
The Week Ahead
Attention now turns to Saturday’s FDH Bank Premiership encounter against Silver Strikers at Mpira Stadium.
The meeting will bring the first round to a close for Nyirenda’s side, who sit fourth on 27 points—two behind the league leaders.
Bullets Reserves will continue preparations for their remaining first-round assignments as they await confirmation of the rearranged meeting with The Boyz.
The Under-19s will look to respond to their first setback of the campaign, while Bullets Women turn their attention to preparations for the new league season.
