FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves made a winning start to the second round of the SRFA FINCA Division One League with a 3-1 victory over Ntopwa FC at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Francis Malikebu and Limbitso Chimanjamanja struck late in the first half before Zaneel Jussab, who had played a key role in both goals, found the net after the break to seal the victory for Henry Kabichi’s side.
The result extends our Reserves’ winning streak to ten matches and strengthens our position at the top of the standings as the young Bullets continue their push for league honours.
Malikebu and Chimanjamanja Put Bullets Ahead
Bullets started brightly, with Enos Hendeman heading wide from an early free-kick after Francis Malikebu was fouled by Samuel Banda, who received the only yellow card of the afternoon.
The hosts created another opening in the seventh minute when Mtende Mayuni found Vincent Kampira, whose cross picked out Malikebu in the box, but Ntopwa goalkeeper Manyungwa Fanuel was equal to the effort.
The visitors responded through Westinho Nazombe, who fired wide in the tenth minute, before Rernard Panje sent a free-kick off target two minutes later.
Ntopwa threatened again in the 17th minute when Rashid Magombo delivered from a corner, but Ganizani Banda reacted well to push the ball away.
Bullets continued to press, with Jazil Bannet driving forward to set up Chimanjamanja in the 24th minute, but his effort was saved by Fanuel.
The resulting corner produced another opportunity as Malikebu combined with Jussab before picking out Chimanjamanja again, but his second attempt went wide.
Hendeman thought he had broken the deadlock on the half-hour mark after turning home Malikebu’s delivery, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Limbani Manyamba then tested Fanuel in the 37th minute after being picked out by Malikebu, but the Ntopwa goalkeeper produced another save to keep the scores level.
The breakthrough finally arrived three minutes later.
Jussab won possession and drove forward before delivering an inviting cross into the box, where Malikebu rose to power a header home and put Bullets ahead.
Hendeman went close to doubling the advantage in the 42nd minute, sending an effort over the crossbar after connecting with Kampira’s delivery.
The young Bullets eventually found their second goal two minutes later when Jussab picked out Bannet, who set up Chimanjamanja to finish brilliantly past Fanuel.
However, Ntopwa responded almost immediately through Chifundo Missi, whose powerful strike crashed against the post before crossing the line to reduce the deficit just before half-time.
Jussab Restores Two-Goal Advantage
Bullets resumed the second half on the front foot, with Chimanjamanja heading over in the 49th minute as Kabichi’s men searched for a third goal.
Ntopwa responded through Magombo, whose header drifted wide four minutes later, before Precious Juma headed off target from Bannet’s corner at the opposite end.
The visitors continued to push for an equaliser, forcing Banda into an excellent save in the 62nd minute, with the Bullets defence clearing the resulting corner.
But just two minutes later, Jussab struck to restore the hosts’ two-goal cushion.
After winning possession in his own half, Jussab combined with Bannet, who returned the ball for him to finish calmly past Fanuel and make it 3-1.
Kabichi made four substitutions in the 73rd minute, introducing Kondwani Mhone, who returned from injury, alongside Felix Jalasi, Duncan Kumbuyo and Kondwani Chaula.
The quartet replaced Limbani Manyamba, Vincent Kampira, Yankho Phiri and Chimanjamanja, respectively.
Bullets continued to create openings in the closing stages, with Hendeman forcing another save from Fanuel in the 81st minute before Bannet struck the post moments later.
Verson Mudu replaced Chaula in the 84th minute and almost added a fourth five minutes later.
Hendeman’s initial effort was saved by Fanuel before Mudu pounced on the rebound, but a Ntopwa defender cleared his attempt off the line.
The victory completes a league double over Ntopwa following our 4-1 triumph in the first-round meeting.
Kabichi’s men now lead the standings with 37 points, three ahead of Ekhaya Reserves, who suffered a 2-0 defeat to Mighty Wanderers Reserves at Mpira Stadium on Saturday morning.
Liberty FC sit third with 33 points following their 2-1 away victory over Mwanza United.
Kabichi Calls for Improved Finishing
Kabichi welcomed the winning start to the second round but challenged his players to be more clinical after another afternoon of missed opportunities.
“It was a good contest between the two sides. We knew it would be a tough game because we train on the same pitch. Overall, I am pleased with the result.
“Starting the second round with a win is encouraging for the boys, but we are still not converting enough of the chances we create. That is something we need to improve because, in football, you have to make your opportunities count.
“We now have to go back to training, assess the mistakes we made today and work on correcting them. Our finishing is one area that needs improvement, and we must be more clinical in front of goal in our upcoming matches.”
Bullets Reserves XI
43 Ganizani Banda; 65 Vincent Kampira (67 Felix Jalasi 73’), 56 Precious Juma, 62 Mtende Mayuni, 46 Zaneel Jussab, 59 Yankho Phiri (64 Duncan Kumbuyo 73’), 51 Enos Hendeman, 47 Francis Malikebu, 44 Limbani Manyamba (50 Kondwani Mhone 73’), 58 Limbitso Chimanjamanja (57 Kondwani Chaula 73’; 66 Verson Mudu 84’), 45 Jazil Bannet.
Substitutes Not Used
42 Rashid Nicks, 69 Eustache Baraki, 68 Charles Kasalanga, 48 Matthews Nkunika.
Ntopwa FC XI
1 Manyungwa Fanuel; 13 Mlice Funiasi, 15 Peter Austin, 4 Chikumbatso Vale, 14 Precious Banda (Yohane Matias 73’), 5 Chifundo Missi, 12 Samuel Banda (Eckalie Mhango 59’), 10 Mikel Benson, 11 Rashid Magombo, 7 Rernard Panje, 8 Westinho Nazombe.
Substitutes Not Used
Billy Junior Tewesa, Madalitso Chilambo, Kelvin Juma, Stive Nyoloma, Chifundo Chavuta, Blessings Phiri, Brighton Muthupwa.
Match Statistics
Goals
Bullets Reserves: Francis Malikebu 40’, Limbitso Chimanjamanja 44’, Zaneel Jussab 64’.
Ntopwa FC: Chifundo Missi 45’.
Bookings
Bullets Reserves: None.
Ntopwa FC: Samuel Banda 4’.
Match Details
Fixture: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves vs Ntopwa FC
Competition: SRFA FINCA Division One League
Date: 17 October 2026
Venue: Kamuzu Stadium, Blantyre
Result: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves 3-1 Ntopwa FC
