Mike Mkwate put FCB Nyasa Big Bullets ahead in the first half, before Babatunde Adepoju struck twice after halftime to secure a 3-0 TNM Super League victory over Chitipa United at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Returning to the home turf for the first time in four weeks, Peter Mponda’s men picked up where they left off—having last played at Kamuzu Stadium in April.
With this win, Bullets extended our unbeaten start to the 2025 league campaign, making it four consecutive victories.
The First Half
Mponda made three adjustments to the lineup that secured a 1-0 away win over Dedza Dynamos on Wednesday, bringing in Blessings Joseph, Mike Mkwate, and Babatunde Adepoju for Blessings Mpokera, Wongani Lungu, and Maxwell Phodo.
Chitipa United threatened first in the sixth minute, but Clyde Senaji intervened with a crucial clearance. Soon after, Chikumbutso Salima delivered a cross for Babatunde, whose missed effort fell kindly to Yamikani Mologeni, but the Bullets wingback fired over the bar.
The People’s Team pressed for an early opener, with Babatunde weaving through three defenders to set up Chawanangwa Gumbo, however, Asuman Julius produced a brilliant clearance to deny the chance.
Despite dominating possession, the hosts struggled to break down a well-drilled Chitipa defence, which frustrated Mponda’s side and limited clear opportunities.
A golden chance arrived in the 26th minute when Yankho Singo played in Babatunde inside the penalty area, but Anyandwile Jacob made a sharp save before denying the rebound to keep it scoreless.
As the match passed the half-hour mark without a goal, Bullets sought the breakthrough.
We carved out two clear openings in the 36th minute as Salima located Babatunde in the box, but the striker failed to connect, and Mologeni once again shot wide.
Relief finally came in the 37th minute when Mkwate broke the deadlock. Regaining possession through Gumbo, Bullets quickly released our number 8, who finished neatly past Jacob’s left hand for 1-0.
That goal eased the pressure on the hosts and disrupted the visitors’ momentum as the half concluded.
The Second Half
Mponda made further changes at the restart, introducing Innocent Nyasulu, Henry Chiwaya, and Lameck Gamphani for Richard Chimbamba, Andrew Jovinala, and Gumbo.
The Lions of Fort Hill emerged with renewed confidence. Alex Benson, Godfrey Kuyokwa, and Elias Muywanga combined well to pressurise the Bullets’ defence, yet their efforts lacked composure in front of goal.
In the 56th minute, Lloyd Aaron engineered an opportunity, setting up Salima on the edge of the area, but his effort was deflected wide for a corner that Chitipa dealt with comfortably.
Chitipa enjoyed spells of possession, as Lumbani Nyondo linked up with Kuyokwa and Benson to make swift advances into attack, but Senaji’s defensive discipline kept the score at 1-0.
Bullets had a free kick in the 60th minute after Andrew Joseph fouled Chiwaya near the corner flag. However, Gamphani’s delivery failed to trouble the visiting defence.
Chitipa introduced Dan Boston and Steve Saka in the 62nd minute, replacing Benson and Kuyokwa in an attempt to inject more force into their forward line, though they continued to be blunted despite sporadic attacking success.
Mponda countered with a substitution of his own in the 75th minute, swapping Gamphani for Mpokera. Shortly after, Salima’s accurate cross presented Babatunde with another scoring chance, but the forward’s shot lacked conviction and was easily gathered by the goalkeeper.
Wongani Lungu entered for Mkwate in the 82nd minute, a move that added greater impetus to Bullets’ attack during the decisive final moments.
At the other end, Saka played in Muywanga, whose effort came painfully close to reducing the deficit.
Bullets sealed the victory in the 86th minute when Chiwaya’s cross was expertly chested down by Salima, allowing Babatunde to tap in for a 2-0 lead.
Chitipa responded with a late change, bringing on Joseph Mbaga for Andrew Joseph in the 87th minute.
The result was put beyond doubt in the 90th minute as Babatunde headed home from close range after another Salima attempt had struck the post, showcasing his ability to find space in the box and capping off a 3-0 triumph.
What It Means
With this result, Mponda’s men preserved their flawless record, remaining at the summit of the log table with 15 points, 16 goals scored, and just one conceded. Babatunde’s brace on Sunday further secured his place as the league’s top scorer with five goals.
Up Next
Bullets return to Kamuzu Stadium next Saturday, where we will host Kamuzu Barracks in our sixth game of this league campaign.
