FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves launched their 2025/26 ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League campaign with a hard-earned 1-0 win over FOMO Reserves on Sunday afternoon at Mulanje Park Stadium.
After a fiercely contested and scoreless first half, Kondwani Tebulo produced a brilliant effort in the 81st minute to finally break the deadlock, securing victory for Bullets and giving new coach Heston Munthali a winning start with the reserves.
First Half
With rain having drenched the Mulanje pitch earlier in the afternoon, both teams began the match cautiously on the slick surface, neither managing a shot on target in the opening ten minutes. The match’s first real threat came at the 13-minute mark, when FOMO’s Steven Makwinja whipped in a dangerous cross. Bullets’ keeper Ganizani Banda produced a vital save before Mussah Bwanali cleared the rebound to safety.
The hosts sought to increase the pressure in the 20th minute through a Daniel Jamuten free kick, but his shot ricocheted off the wall. Felix Banda seized on the loose ball, only to fire directly into Banda’s grasp. By the 25th minute, the damp pitch began to affect play, making the ball tough to control and passes increasingly unpredictable, which hampered the rhythm of both sides.
Despite challenging conditions, Bullets started pressing higher up the field, while FOMO remained disciplined and in control, leveraging their home ground familiarity. Bullets earned their first corner in the 30th minute, but Vincent Kampira’s delivery was emphatically dealt with by Carrius Kadzuwa. The clearest opportunity of the half emerged in the 39th minute when Prince Chiumia sent a pinpoint cross into the area, but Movic Banda failed to finish, missing a golden chance to take the lead.
As halftime approached, Bullets ramped up their attack. Francis Malikebu’s shot was denied by Kadzuwa, and although Malikebu recycled the ball into the box, no teammate was on hand to capitalize. After both teams squandered opportunities to score, the interval arrived with the match locked at 0-0.
Second Half
Going into the final period, Bullets made two attacking substitutions, with Macray Chiwaya and Prince Chalera coming on for Madalitso Safuli and Movic Banda, injecting fresh impetus into our offense.
FOMO began the second half energetically, with Daniel Jamuten forcing Banda into a smart save in the 50th minute, earning a corner that was swiftly cleared. Shortly after, Diverson Daudi went close with a low shot that fizzed past the far post.
Past the hour, FOMO tested Bullets’ defense once more, as Jamuten’s corner required Banda to intervene, resulting in another corner cleared by Bwanali. In response, Bullets won a 65th-minute free kick, which Misheck Billiat sent to Tebulo—his header goal-bound but stopped by Kadzuwa. Bullets continued their assault, with Chalera heading just wide after a threatening cross from Tebulo.
FOMO remained dangerous on the break, with both Jamuten and Banda firing narrowly off target as Bullets struggled to relieve mounting pressure. In the 75th minute, Munthali made another double change, introducing Enos Hendeman and Henzie Manganyera for Chiwaya and Malikebu, seeking renewed energy.
The decisive moment arrived nine minutes from time. After a chaotic scramble in the box, FOMO’s defense failed to clear, and Tebulo pounced with a powerful strike, propelling Bullets into a hard-earned lead.
Three minutes before the final whistle, Bullets nearly doubled their advantage from a corner, but Chiumia’s delivery was expertly cleared by the FOMO defense. Despite a late surge from the hosts, Bullets stood strong and secured all three points, marking their league opener with a valuable away triumph.
What it Means
After a resilient performance and a narrow victory over FOMO, Bullets have claimed three points from their first outing in the ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League.
Player of the Match
Winger Misheck Billiat was recognized as Player of the Match for his outstanding display away at Mulanje Park.
Munthali’s post-match reaction
“The boys worked hard for the full 90 minutes [to get a result]. It wasn’t an easy match playing away from home and the wet pitch made things difficult, especially in the first half. We started well and created some good chances in the first half, unfortunately, we didn’t take them, and that’s part of the game. Overall, we dominated in all areas of the field. This is a new team, with many players still getting to know each other, so it’s a work in progress. We definitely need to improve our attacking play so that we can convert our chances into goals when they come. But starting the league with three points, gives us confidence going forward.”
