FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Under-19s solidified their position at the top of the 2024 FCB Katswiri Under-20 League with a 2-0 win over Lyzee United at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday morning.
Owen Themu got the opener before substitute Charles Kasalanga completed the triumph.
What happened
Our youngsters went into the match coming from a 1-1 draw against Griffin Young Stars a week ago.
The match began with both teams creating chances, but neither side could find the back of the net.
United had a golden opportunity in the eighth to take the lead from a free kick, but Bullets were disciplined at the back to get rid of the danger.
As the first period progressed, our boys began to gain momentum and Maxwell Sakanamba had our first shot on target in the 20th minute, but the ball was comfortably collected by Lyzee’s goalkeeper Felix Ngalande.
Bullets U19s continued to push for the opener, winning a free kick on the edge of the box. However, Sakanamba’s strike sailed over the bar.
Another chance fell to Issah Felix, who failed to connect from another Sakanamba setpiece.
Towards the end of the first half, Bullets won the first corner of the game and a short one from Blessings Kuchanga to Vincent Kampira saw the attack thwarted by the offside flag.
The opening period ended with both teams still searching for the opening goal.
In the second half, Bullets continued their dominance, searching for the much-needed goal. In the 43rd minute, Blessings Kuchanga headed wide from a corner kick.
The breakthrough came in the 52nd minute when Owen Themu received a cross from Martin Adam to score the opening goal following a brilliant display from Giff Frank who started the move from the back through Adam to find Themu.
Yamikani Fodya’s side made their first substitution in the 55th minute, introducing Charles Kasalanga and Osman George, replacing Adam and Kelvin Chimodzi.
In the 62nd minute, Bullets won two corners in quick succession, but United’s defense cleared both.
We made another substitution, introducing Blessings Chiku for Brian Mwase.
In the 75th minute, substitute Kasalanga scored the second goal after another brilliant display.
We continued knocking in search of another goal but the youngsters couldn’t find the back of the net until the final whistle, and that was all, 2-0 it ended and Bullets Youth secured a fifth win of the season.
What it means
With this win, Bullets Youth have collected 16 points from six games. They have managed to score 15 goals, conceding two.
Fodya’s post-match remarks
“It was a tough game, as both teams were looking for a win. In the first half, we didn’t create a lot of chances but at halftime, we told the boys we needed to score first if we wanted to win this match and our game plan worked well.
“The substitutions that we did changed the game. We will keep developing and teaching them to do well”.
What next
Following Sunday’s 2-0 win over Lyzee United, Bullets Youth will continue their campaign next weekend with a fixture against Young Stars.
