FCB Nyasa Big Bullets began the 2026/27 season with a narrow 1-0 defeat to rivals Mighty Wanderers in the NBS Bank Charity Shield at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.
The result brings an end to Bullets’ perfect record in the Charity Shield, having won all previous editions they had contested.
A second-half strike from Cameroonian forward Sama Thierry Tanjong proved the difference in a tightly contested Blantyre derby, as Maule were left to rue missed chances in an otherwise balanced encounter.
Even First Half as Nyasulu Saves Penalty
The match started at a measured pace, with both sides showing attacking intent in the opening exchanges.
Wanderers threatened early, forcing Innocent Nyasulu into a couple of routine saves before the visitors began to grow into the game.
Gilbert Chirwa’s men looked most threatening down the flanks, particularly through Henry Chiwaya’s deliveries from the left, while new signing Emmanuel Kaunga settled well at the heart of defence.
Maule responded with a chance of their own when Hassan Kajoke saw his effort denied by goalkeeper Chancy Mtete, before building sustained attacking phases, with George Chaomba lively in the forward line.
Chiwaya continued to influence proceedings, sending in dangerous balls into the area. One such delivery found Kajoke, but the forward’s effort sailed over the bar.
The visitors came closest to breaking the deadlock when a flowing move involving Chiwaya and Maxwell Phodo released Mike Mkwate, whose shot drifted narrowly wide in what was a big chance.
At the other end, Nyasulu produced a crucial moment, saving a penalty from Isaac Kaliati to keep the scores level and ensure the teams went into the break goalless.
Tanjong Strike Decides Contest After the Break
Wanderers broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half when Tanjong reacted quickest to a rebound after Nyasulu had parried the initial effort.
The goal forced Maule to push higher up the pitch, committing more bodies forward in search of a response.
Chirwa turned to his bench, introducing fresh legs as his side increased the tempo in the final third.
Substitutes Misheck Billiat and Ephraim Kondowe added energy in attack, with Billiat showing composure and confidence on his senior competitive debut, while Clever Kalambo also made a positive impact after coming on.
Peter Banda was introduced to stretch Wanderers’ defence, while Wongani Lungu replaced the injured Mkwate in midfield.
The visitors applied late pressure but struggled to carve out clear openings, with Wanderers maintaining their defensive shape and looking to break on the counter.
Late on, Kalambo came closest to finding an equaliser, cutting in from the left before firing into the side netting.
Narrow Defeat but Positives to Build On
Despite the defeat, Maule will take positives from a competitive display, particularly in the first half where they created the better openings and showed defensive resilience.
There were encouraging signs from the club’s new signings, with Emmanuel Kaunga solid in defence and George Chaomba lively in attack.
Off the bench, Clever Kalambo made a positive impact, while Misheck Billiat impressed on his senior competitive debut, particularly given the intensity of a derby.
Attention now turns to the FDH Bank Premiership, with Maule travelling to Civo Stadium in Lilongwe next weekend to face Civil Service United in the league opener.
Team Line-ups
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets: 23 Innocent Nyasulu; 2 Yamikani Mologeni, 4 Blessings Mpokera (C), 26 Emmanuel Kaunga, 27 Henry Chiwaya; 17 Yankho Singo, 29 Chawanangwa Gumbo, 10 Mike Mkwate; 22 George Chaomba, 20 Maxwell Phodo, 9 Hassan Kajoke
Bench: 28 Misheck Billiat (52), 13 Ephraim Kondowe (52), 19 Wongani Lungu (72), 7 Peter Banda (72), 11 Clever Kalambo (86)
Unused Substitutes: 1 Pilirani Mapira, 21 Andrew Jovinala, 8 Paul Master, 6 Frank Willard
Mighty Wanderers: 24 Chancy Mtete; 22 Emmanuel Nyirenda (C), 6 Daniel Kudonto, 7 Sama Thierry Tanjong, 8 Blessings Singini; 9 Promise Kamwendo, 10 Gaddie Chirwa, 12 Stanley Sanudi; 15 Alex Kambilinya, 17 Isaac Kaliati, 25 Felix Zulu
Bench: 21 Lameck Mithi (40), 11 Mphatso Kamanga (52), 29 Muhammad Sulumba (76), 14 Peter Ng’ambi (86)
Unused Substitutes: 2 Masiya Manda, 19 Wallace Adam, 33 Dalitso Nahipa, 35 Rajab Nyirenda, 39 Anyandwile Jacob
Scorers
Sama Thierry Tanjong 48
Bookings
Henry Chiwaya, Ephraim Kondowe
Match Details
Fixture: Mighty Wanderers vs FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
Competition: NBS Bank Charity Shield
Venue: Bingu National Stadium, Lilongwe
Result: Wanderers 1-0 Bullets
