FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves battled back to earn a 1-1 draw against Mwanza Stars in a tightly contested ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League fixture at Joyce Chitsulo Stadium on Sunday afternoon, showing resilience and fighting spirit on the road.
The match opened with intensity as both sides looked to assert control, but it was the hosts who settled quicker, forcing Bullets to defend deep in the early minutes.
Early Pressure From The Hosts
Mwanza Stars earned a corner inside the opening two minutes, but their delivery was safely gathered by Julius Banda. Moments later, they won a free kick just outside the box, but the Bullets goalkeeper stayed alert to make a comfortable save.
By the 10th minute, Bullets were yet to find their momentum as the hosts continued to dominate possession and dictate the early exchanges.
Bullets Grow Into The Game
In the 16th minute, Misheck Billiat created the first real chance for the visitors after being picked out by Mussah Bwanali, but his low strike flew just wide of the post.
That moment lifted the young Maule, who began to grow in confidence and push forward. The visitors gradually found their passing rhythm, with Brian Mwase and Precious Juma starting to dictate the tempo in midfield.
By the 20th minute, Bullets were gaining momentum, stringing together passes and attacking with intent in search of the opener. Moments later, the hosts won another corner, but Bullets defended solidly to clear the danger.
In the 24th minute, Bullets earned a promising free kick, and Billiat stepped up once again, but his well-struck effort went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands. Four minutes later, Kondwani Tebulo swung in a teasing free kick that found Hadji Steven, but the flag went up for offside.
At the half-hour mark, Billiat fired over the bar after being set up by Juma, before Prince Chalera also saw his effort sail high moments later as the visitors pressed for a breakthrough.
Mwanza Take The Lead
In the 36th minute, Mwanza won another corner, but captain Mussah Bwanali reacted quickly to head clear and relieve the pressure. Five minutes later, Tebulo delivered a dangerous cross into the area, only for the home defence to clear before any Bullets attacker could connect.
Just before halftime, the hosts broke the deadlock when Gerson Justin turned home from close range after connecting with a cross from Kondwani Tuwadya, giving Mwanza Stars a slender advantage heading into the break despite Bullets having enjoyed a stronger spell of possession in the final minutes.
Banda Keeps Bullets In The Game
After the restart, Bullets came out with renewed energy, but it was Julius Banda who made the first big impact of the half, producing a brilliant reflex save to keep the visitors in contention.
Two minutes later, Billiat fired over after a half-cleared cross from Steven. In the 53rd minute, Bullets maintained their pressure, winning a corner that Tebulo swung into the area before the hosts cleared.
A brilliant exchange between Steven, Juma, and Chalera followed, but Juma’s cross across the face of goal found no takers.
Munthali’s Tactical Changes
Heston Munthali made his first substitution in the 55th minute, introducing Oscar Petro for Brian Mwase to add fresh energy in midfield.
Billiat remained lively throughout, sending in a series of dangerous deliveries from set pieces that kept the hosts under pressure. At the other end, Banda pulled off another crucial save in the 63rd minute after the defence was breached, keeping Bullets in the game.
Moments later, Bullets nearly levelled when Billiat’s corner found Petro, whose header went over the bar. With 18 minutes to play, Vincent Kampira replaced Juma to add attacking impetus. Billiat then delivered a free kick that reached Petro, but his shot went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Henderman Levels It Late
Bullets’ persistence finally paid off in the 84th minute when Vincent Kampira sparked a flowing move, releasing Billiat, whose inch-perfect cross was met by Enos Henderman for the equaliser.
Two minutes later, Hadji Steven won a free kick in a dangerous area, which Billiat swung in before the hosts cleared both the set piece and the resulting corner to preserve parity.
Hard-Fought Point On The Road
Despite late pressure from the visitors, neither side could find a winner as the match ended level.
It was a hard-fought contest and a deserved point on the road for Munthali’s charges, who showed character and determination to fight back from behind.
The young Maule displayed great resilience to secure a deserved point away from home — a performance that keeps their title push very much alive as the second round intensifies.
Following the draw, Bullets Reserves have climbed to third in the ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League standings, level on 40 points with Mighty Wanderers Reserves, but boasting a superior goal difference. Wanderers, who have played 21 games, had their weekend fixture against Immigration FC postponed on Saturday.
Full-Time:
Mwanza Stars 1–1 Bullets Reserves
Goals: Gerson Justin 44’ (Mwanza Stars), Enos Henderman 84’ (Bullets Reserves)
Venue: Joyce Chitsulo Stadium, Mwanza
