FCB Nyasa Big Bullets ended their 2025 TNM Super League campaign on a high note with a commanding 4-0 win over Mzuzu City Hammers at Kamuzu Stadium, securing second place in the league and wrapping up the season with style.
Chikumbutso Salima led The People’s Team attack, scoring twice and providing an assist to earn Player of the Match, his ninth of the 2025 league season.
Remarkably, all of this came on his 24th birthday, making it a memorable day personally and professionally. He finished the season as joint top goal scorer alongside teammate Babatunde Adepoju, who also scored twice in the finale.
Salima contributed 11 assists across 28 appearances, giving him a total of 26 goal contributions, while Adepoju added seven assists for a total of 22 goal contributions, highlighting the duo’s pivotal role in Bullets’ attacking strength.
Bullets started the match strongly. Adepoju opened the scoring early before Salima doubled the lead, combining fluently with teammates and continuously testing the Hammers’ defence. Salima later completed his brace, while Adepoju added the fourth, ensuring a statement victory to end the league campaign.
A Bullets Reserves graduate, Salima joined The People’s Team in 2022 from the Lawrence Waya Academy. That year, he earned the Reserves’ Players’ Player of the Season accolade and finished as top scorer in the FDH Bank Cup.
To accelerate his development, Salima spent the 2023 TNM Super League season on loan at Bangwe All Stars, scoring on his league debut and earning Player of the Match honours. His performances prompted a recall to Bullets ahead of the 2024 season, where he has grown into a key figure in the squad.
After the match, Salima reflected on both his personal achievement and the team’s campaign.
“This was a great match. I would like to thank God for being with me throughout the season. Finishing as joint top scorer alongside Babatunde Adepoju is a special achievement, but what matters most is the team’s performance,” he said.
“Sharing this journey with my teammates has been incredible.”
He emphasized that team objectives always came first.
“Our main goal was to win this match. Football is a team game, and being selfish on the ball would not have helped us. Whoever scores, the most important thing is that the goal helps the team to win.”
Salima acknowledged the disappointment of missing out on the league title, which was clinched by rivals Mighty Wanderers, but remained optimistic about the future.
“It is painful not to win the league this season, but we will come back stronger. Credit to Wanderers — they deserve to be champions. For us, the focus now is on reflecting, improving, and returning next season ready to challenge for the title.”
The People’s Team now turn their attention to the Castel Challenge Cup, facing relegated side Songwe Border United in the Round of 32 on 11 January in Karonga.
