FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves were held to a 1-1 draw by The Boys side in a thrilling ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League clash at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Despite taking the lead through a first-half penalty from goalkeeper Julius Banda, Bullets conceded an equalizer in the second half as Chifundo Ngapemba found the net for the visitors. The result sees Bullets maintain their position at the top of the table with 23 points from 10 matches.
First Half
The hosts began brightly and nearly broke the deadlock inside five minutes when Prince Chalera headed just wide from Kondwani Mhone’s corner.
The Boys responded with two quick corners of their own, but Bullets’ backline dealt with the danger confidently.
The breakthrough came in the 15th minute when Chalera was fouled inside the area after connecting with a cross from Gift Frank. Referee Cassim Shaibu pointed to the spot, and up stepped Banda, who coolly converted, sending his opposite number the wrong way to give Bullets a deserved 1-0 lead.
With momentum on their side, Heston Munthali’s young side pushed forward again. Mhone’s curling free kick forced a solid clearance from goalkeeper Liwene Muhammad.
The Boys nearly equalised in the 35th minute when Ngapemba’s header from a set-piece narrowly missed the target.
Bullets went into the break leading 1-0 after an entertaining and high-tempo opening period.
Second Half
The visitors emerged from the tunnel with renewed intent and began asking questions of the Bullets defence early in the second half.
Just four minutes after the restart, Alexander Mauwo headed wide from a corner, giving Bullets a warning of what was to come.
The equaliser arrived in the 57th minute when Joseph Solomon picked out Ngapemba in the box, and the forward calmly slotted past Banda to make it 1-1.
Reacting quickly, Bullets introduced Movic Banda and Prince Chiumia for Hadji Steven and Kondwani Mhone to regain midfield control.
Moments later, Kampira fired a free kick directly at the keeper in one of Bullets’ few second-half chances.
More changes followed as MaClay Chiwaya, coming back from injury, replaced Gift Frank. Bullets pressed for a winner, earning a pair of corners, but The Boys defended well.
In the final minutes, it was the visitors who looked more likely to snatch a winner, but Banda came to the rescue with a couple of crucial stops to ensure Bullets shared the spoils.
Yankho Phiri was introduced in the 85th minute for Enos Hendeman as Bullets sought a late spark, but the match ended 1-1.
What It Means
Despite dropping points, Bullets Reserves remain top of the ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League with 23 points—two ahead of second-placed Ekhaya Reserves, who thrashed Ntopwa 5-0 on the same afternoon. The young Maule will aim to bounce back and return to winning ways in their next outing.
