Francis Malikebu scored a memorable hat-trick as FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves defeated QPL All Stars 4-0 at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday in the SRFA FINCA Division One League.
Bullets turned a narrow half-time advantage into a commanding victory, scoring three times during a clinical nine-minute spell after the interval.
Malikebu opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before Vincent Kampira doubled the lead on the hour mark.
The midfielder then struck twice in quick succession to complete his hat-trick and secure back-to-back league victories and clean sheets for Henry Kabichi’s side.
Saturday’s match was the first competitive meeting between the two sides, with newly promoted QPL All Stars in their debut Division One season after stepping up from Division Two last year.
It also marked Bullets Reserves’ first appearance at Kamuzu Stadium since their 6-1 victory over Mwanza United on 8 June.
Bullets rewarded before the break
Bullets started brightly, moving the ball with confidence and purpose as they looked to establish early control.
The hosts won a corner in the seventh minute, which Kampira played quickly to Kondwani Tebulo, but the visitors reacted well and cleared the danger.
Jazilu Bannet continued to threaten from the flank and delivered a dangerous cross that was turned behind in the 14th minute.
Malikebu swung in the resulting corner, but the visitors’ defence stood firm and cleared its lines.
The newly promoted side registered its first meaningful attempt five minutes later through Peter Kunte, whose long-range effort was comfortably saved by Julius Banda.
At the other end, Bullets continued to create the clearer openings.
Kampira picked out Bannet’s run in the 24th minute before the forward laid the ball into the path of Enos Hendeman, whose first-time effort sailed wide.
Bullets went even closer five minutes later after Hendeman was brought down in a promising position.
Tebulo stepped up and unleashed a superb free-kick that crashed against the crossbar, leaving the hosts inches away from breaking the deadlock.
Matthews Nkunika was next to threaten after combining neatly with Tebulo, but his effort was well saved by Willard Lunga.
Malikebu also fired wide following a flowing attacking move involving Kampira and Tebulo as Bullets maintained the pressure.
The visitors threatened from two set-pieces towards the end of the half, but Banda comfortably dealt with Chisomo Nansetta’s free-kick before Lonjezo Bamusi sent a corner over the crossbar.
Bullets eventually made their pressure count on the stroke of half-time.
Movic Banda’s attempt was deflected behind before the hosts worked the resulting corner short, allowing Malikebu to curl a composed effort into the far corner.
The goal gave Bullets a deserved advantage at the interval.
Malikebu hat-trick seals emphatic win
Bullets resumed on the front foot after the restart, with Kampira delivering an inviting cross into the penalty area that went untouched.
The visitors attempted to respond and won an early second-half corner before introducing Ousen Leo and Rasheed Ibrahim for Bamusi and Mayamiko M’madi in the 50th minute.
Leo soon found himself in a promising position, but his effort sailed over the bar.
Kabichi made his first changes in the 58th minute, introducing Felix Jalasi and Limbitso Chimanjamanja for Limbani Manyamba and Movic Banda as Bullets looked to add fresh attacking threat.
The hosts doubled their advantage two minutes later.
Feston Botoman initiated the move before Kampira capitalised on a mistake from the advancing goalkeeper, won possession near the edge of the penalty area and calmly rolled the ball into the empty net.
Lonjezo Peter was booked in the 62nd minute for a high-boot challenge on Jalasi.
Bullets were then forced into a change in goal when Julius Banda picked up a knock and was replaced by Ganizani Banda in the 64th minute.
Malikebu took complete control of the contest with two goals in quick succession.
The midfielder made it 3-0 in the 67th minute with a powerful left-footed drive from outside the penalty area that beat Lunga.
The visitors made another double substitution a minute later, introducing Adam Mngoma and Daud Chrispin for Wilson Jacob and Peter Brain.
Malikebu struck again in the 69th minute to complete his hat-trick and cap a performance to remember after missing the previous two matches through illness.
Bullets continued pushing forward, with Kampira and Malikebu combining from a short corner before the visitors cleared the danger.
A misplaced back-pass from Precious Juma briefly presented QPL All Stars with an opportunity, but Ganizani Banda recovered well to clear.
Hendeman then connected with Malikebu’s pass inside the penalty area, only to send his effort wide.
Malikebu and Kampira made way for Henzie Manganyera and Alex White in the 78th minute, with the hat-trick hero departing after an outstanding individual display.
Ganizani Banda was called into action twice during the closing stages.
The substitute goalkeeper reacted brilliantly to deny Leo’s close-range header from a cross on the right before producing another important save after the visitors took advantage of uncertainty in the Bullets defence.
Juma almost added a fifth in the 87th minute after winning possession and driving forward with purpose, but his powerful long-range strike went narrowly wide.
The visitors had one final opportunity from a stoppage-time free-kick, but Nansetta sent his effort over the bar as Bullets completed a commanding victory.
Kabichi demands improvement
Despite the convincing scoreline, Kabichi admitted that Bullets did not reach their usual performance levels and challenged his players to continue improving.
“First of all, we should thank the boys for their hard work and for getting the win today, but we did not play our usual game. For most of the match, we were second to the ball,” said the Bullets Reserves coach.
“We are not satisfied with the performance, but football is a process. These boys cannot reach a high level in one day.
“We need to help them because we know the areas in which we are struggling. We must continue working on those areas while encouraging the players to do better.”
Kabichi stressed that results are not the only measure of progress for the Reserves, with player development remaining the team’s primary focus.
“We are mostly looking at whether the boys are doing the right things. The result comes second,” he explained.
“Half of the team is doing the right things and, as a team, we are continuing to improve.”
The victory secured back-to-back league wins and clean sheets for Bullets Reserves, but Kabichi insists continued improvement must remain the priority for his developing side.
Bullets Reserves XI
Julius Banda (Ganizani Banda 64’); Vincent Kampira (Alex White 78’), Feston Botoman, Precious Juma, Kondwani Tebulo; Matthews Nkunika, Enos Hendeman, Francis Malikebu (Henzie Manganyera 78’); Limbani Manyamba (Felix Jalasi 58’), Movic Banda (Limbitso Chimanjamanja 58’), Jazilu Bannet.
Substitutes not used: Brian Mwase, Yankho Phiri, Eustache Baraki, Mtende Mayuni.
QPL All Stars XI
Willard Lunga; Josephy James, Peter Kunte, Lonjezo Peter, Griffin Munthali, Chisomo Nansetta, Peter Brain (Daud Chrispin 68’), Wilson Jacob (Adam Mngoma 68’), Mayamiko M’madi (Rasheed Ibrahim 50’), Lonjezo Bamusi (Ousen Leo 50’), George Makoko.
Substitutes not used: Chipiliro Selamani, Prince Mwanga, Thomas Selemani, Josephy Solomon, Melvin Issah.
Match statistics
Goals
Bullets Reserves: Francis Malikebu 45’, 67’, 69’; Vincent Kampira 60’.
Bookings
QPL All Stars: Lonjezo Peter 62’.
Match details
Competition: SRFA FINCA Division One League
Match: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves vs QPL All Stars
Venue: Kamuzu Stadium, Blantyre
Date: Saturday, 18 July 2026
Result: Bullets Reserves 4-0 QPL All Stars
