FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves secured a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Immigration FC in the SRFA FINCA Division One League at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Mtende Mayuni’s first goal in Bullets colours proved decisive, with the centre-back striking in the 53rd minute after the hosts had twice been denied by the woodwork.
The result took Bullets to 47 points from 20 matches, eleven clear of Liberty FC, who moved into second place with a 1-0 victory over QPL All Stars. It also extended the young Bullets’ unbeaten league run to fourteen matches and marked a winning return to the touchline for Henry Kabichi following his CAF C coaching course in the Central Region.
Woodwork Denies Bullets Early Breakthrough
Bullets came close to opening the scoring in the third minute when Vincent Kampira’s free-kick found Precious Juma, whose header crashed against the crossbar. Eustache Baraki reached the rebound but headed over.
Immigration offered a warning three minutes later, with Chikumbutso Gowelo striking the post from a free-kick just outside the penalty area.
Kampira received the afternoon’s first booking in the 11th minute before Bullets were denied by the woodwork again two minutes later. This time, Baraki met Kampira’s cross with a header that struck the post.
The hosts continued to press, winning a free-kick in the 16th minute after Innocent Sikwese fouled Jazil Bannet and was booked. Kampira delivered into the danger area, but goalkeeper Enock George came out to clear.
Francis Malikebu then picked out Kampira in the 19th minute, only for the Immigration defence to block and clear his effort.
Set-pieces continued to produce openings for Bullets. Mayuni headed over from Kampira’s corner in the 25th minute, while Malikebu fired wide after working a short corner with Kampira eight minutes later.
Another short routine created an opening in the 38th minute. Kampira played a free-kick to Zaneel Jussab, whose cross found Limbitso Chimanjamanja, but the forward headed over.
Immigration cleared another short corner involving Kampira and Malikebu in the 42nd minute. On the stroke of half-time, Mayuni’s header earned another corner, but George dealt with the delivery.
Despite creating the better openings, the young Bullets went into the interval level.
Mayuni Finds the Breakthrough
Immigration introduced Sparrow Msowoya for Gowelo at the restart, but Bullets soon resumed their search for an opener.
Felix Jalasi delivered two successive corners in the 51st minute, with the visitors clearing both.
The breakthrough arrived two minutes later. Jussab’s free-kick found Mayuni, who combined with Jalasi before meeting the return delivery and calmly finishing past George.
Immigration attempted to respond from a corner in the 58th minute, but their effort went wide.
Bullets then created two chances in quick succession. Mayuni released Malikebu down the flank, and the captain crossed from the byline for Chimanjamanja, whose header went narrowly wide after he failed to connect cleanly.
Moments later, Kampira’s corner found Jussab, but his effort also missed the target.
The visitors made a double substitution in the 64th minute, with Joseph Chipwaka replacing the injured Prino Dickson and Haswell Chiwaya coming on for Gift Sato.
Jalasi was booked for a reckless challenge a minute later before Immigration sent another effort wide from a corner in the 67th minute.
Bullets See Out Tense Finish
Chimanjamanja nearly doubled the advantage in the 71st minute, overpowering his marker outside the area and driving into the box before sending his effort wide of the bottom-right corner.
Malikebu continued to create openings, making a fine run down the left five minutes later and delivering into the six-yard area, but Baraki headed wide.
Immigration introduced Madalitso Chiume and Henry Bisani for Tony Mbulu and Hajap Fatch in the 77th minute as they searched for a response.
Bannet had two opportunities to extend Bullets’ lead in the 81st minute, but both efforts went wide.
Kabichi refreshed his attack two minutes later, introducing Kondwani Mhone for Bannet, Verson Mudu for Chimanjamanja and Duncan Kumbuyo for Baraki.
Juma was booked for a foul on Chipwaka in the 89th minute, with seven minutes of stoppage time subsequently signalled.
Mudu thought he had secured a second goal in the fifth added minute, but the assistant referee’s flag ruled out his finish for offside.
The closing stages grew increasingly tense after a foul left Mudu injured, sparking a fracas in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Bisani was sent off following the incident, while Immigration captain Haroon Yusufu was booked.
Bullets negotiated the remaining moments to secure a clean sheet and a narrow but deserved victory, reversing their 2-1 first-round defeat at Chilomoni Stadium.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Liberty climbed above Ekhaya Reserves with their victory over QPL All Stars, while FC Thondwe lost 1-0 to Chilomoni FC.
Ekhaya, now third on 35 points, face Nchima United at Mpira Stadium on Sunday. Victory would move them back into second and reduce Bullets’ advantage to nine points.
Kabichi: Patience Made the Difference
Kabichi praised the players’ patience and determination as Bullets found a second-half breakthrough to overcome Immigration.
“We knew it would be difficult against a side that beat us in the first round. Credit to the boys for their determination and the work they put in to get the result.
“At half-time, the message was to keep pushing and trust our approach. The players responded, stayed patient and found the goal we needed.”
Despite securing the victory, Kabichi felt Bullets’ finishing left room for improvement.
“We created enough chances to make the game more comfortable, but we were not clinical enough. That has been a recurring issue this season, and it is something we must keep working on.”
The head coach welcomed the confidence another victory would bring while keeping his attention on the work ahead.
“The win gives the boys a lift, but we cannot become comfortable. We will take the confidence from it, return to training and address the areas where we need to improve.”
Bullets Reserves XI
41 Julius Banda; 67 Felix Jalasi, 56 Precious Juma, 62 Mtende Mayuni, 46 Zaneel Jussab, 48 Matthews Nkunika, 69 Eustache Baraki (64 Duncan Kumbuyo 83′), 47 Francis Malikebu (C), 65 Vincent Kampira, 58 Limbitso Chimanjamanja (66 Verson Mudu 83′), 45 Jazil Bannet (50 Kondwani Mhone 83′).
Substitutes Not Used
43 Ganizani Banda, 60 Feston Botoman, 51 Enos Hendeman, 53 Brian Mwase, 68 Charles Kasalanga, 55 Daniel White.
Immigration FC XI
Enock George; 12 Ulemu Munthali, 31 Haroon Yusufu (C), 4 Innocent Sikwese, 18 Ajida Byson, 5 Emman Poya, 6 Chikumbutso Gowelo (13 Sparrow Msowoya 46′), 7 Prino Dickson (9 Joseph Chipwaka 64′), 10 Gift Sato (8 Haswell Chiwaya 64′), 19 Hajap Fatch (2 Henry Bisani 77′), 11 Tony Mbulu (32 Madalitso Chiume 77′).
Substitutes Not Used
23 Yamikani Mafunga, 15 Innocent Kachingwe, 16 Bestie Banda, 20 Stevie Kalira.
Match Statistics
Goals
Bullets Reserves: Mtende Mayuni 53′.
Immigration FC: None.
Bookings
Bullets Reserves: Vincent Kampira 11′, Felix Jalasi 65′, Precious Juma 89′.
Immigration FC: Innocent Sikwese 16′, Haroon Yusufu 90+6′.
Red Cards
Immigration FC: Henry Bisani 90+6′.
Match Details
Fixture: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves vs Immigration FC
Competition: SRFA FINCA Division One League
Matchweek: 22
Date: Saturday, 14 November 2026
Venue: Kamuzu Stadium, Blantyre
Kick-off: 15:00
Half-time: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves 0-0 Immigration FC
Result: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves 1-0 Immigration FC
