FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves were left frustrated once more after being held to a 1-1 draw by Ntopwa FC in a midweek SRFA ThumbsUp League fixture, their fourth successive stalemate. The result keeps the young People’s Team in fourth place with 43 points.
First Half Action
Both sides started cautiously, with much of the early play concentrated in midfield. Ntopwa registered the first threatening moment with a 10th-minute corner, but Bullets dealt with it comfortably.
Bullets soon created openings of their own. Movic Banda headed wide from a Prince Chiumia cross, before Ntopwa’s goalkeeper was forced into a save from a well-struck Billiat free kick.
The breakthrough arrived in the 19th minute when another teasing Chiumia delivery caused confusion in the box, leading Ntopwa defender Yohane Matias to turn the ball into his own net and hand Bullets a 1-0 lead.
The visitors equalised just six minutes later. Kondwani Mwalija broke through, held off his marker and finished into the far corner to level the score at 1-1.
Bullets continued to probe through Hadji Steven and Banda, but the half ended with the teams locked level.
Second Half Action
Coach Heston Munthali introduced Matthews Nkunika at the restart to inject energy into the attack, and the change immediately shifted momentum Bullets’ way.
Billiat threatened again from a free kick before Mtende Mayuni’s powerful header from a Kampira corner was cleared off the line in the 58th minute.
With Prince Chalera introduced, Bullets pressed harder. The forward almost restored the lead with a close-range header that was superbly saved. Ntopwa responded with a rare chance from a corner, but Mayuni reacted quickly to avert the danger.
Chalera was later replaced by Chaula after picking up an injury, and Bullets maintained the pressure.
Oscar Petro twice found the back of the net, but both attempts were ruled offside.
In the closing minutes, Bullets launched wave after wave of attacks, but incomplete finishing and strong goalkeeping kept the score unchanged. Despite controlling the contest, Bullets had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Coach’s Reaction
Head coach Heston Munthali expressed disappointment with his side’s inability to turn dominance into victory:
“We wasted a lot of chances today. The second half was ours — we dominated, we created chances, but we were not clinical enough in front of goal. These are games we should be winning.”
