FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women moved to the top of the Goshen-FAM Women’s Southern Region League after beating Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Queens 3-0 at Mpira Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
It was an intriguing third women’s Blantyre derby as Matamando Makawa completed a first-half brace before Grace Yotamu sealed the big win in the last minute of the contest.
What happened
Not more of a derby did the tie start as both teams struggled to make it to their opponents’ half during the first minutes.
Pilirani Malora then turned on its head, setting up Makawa who produced a perfect finish to make it 1-0 after seven minutes of football.
Bullets almost doubled the lead shortly. Malora again looked to open up the Nomads’ defence with a searching pass which Fauzah Mohammed got to the end of it but her effort went over the crossbar.
Looking hungry, our ladies’ team eventually doubled the lead as Makawa completed her brace on the day with another tap in inside the box, getting the better of Maulidi once more.
No further threat was issued thereafter from either side who played out a cautioned contest until the halftime break arrived with the 2-0 scoreline intact.
Wanderers found their foot after the restart and looked capable of pulling one back but were let down by their lack of composure in front of the goal.
Our ladies still carried the danger on the counter with Malora making back-to-back attempts which had the visiting side sighing after stunning saves from their goalkeeper.
Coach Maggie Chombo then made changes with the clock running to an hour-mark as Effie Msukwa came on for Linda Nyangu and goalkeeper Martha Banda replaced Bridget Malemia, who got injured in a collision with onrushing Karena Mapemba.
More changes followed as we looked to bury the game and we went on to do so. After a lengthy claim of the ball, we scored in stoppage time thanks to Yotamu.
The defensive midfielder combined brilliantly with Lyna James to finish off a sweeping team move with a well-placed low finish that left the Mpira Stadium in a clapping sound before the referee declared our ladies as queens of Blantyre with the final whistle, 3-0 it ended.
What it means
Following the midweek victory, Bullets remain unbeaten in six games and have climbed to the summit of the standings with 18 points, while defending champions Kukoma Ntopwa Women come second with 16 points, having played a game more than us.
What Coach Maggie Chombo said after the match
“I am grateful to the girls. They knew they needed an early goal and they did it by scoring two in the first half. In the second half, they tried attacking but Wanderers defended well. It’s good that we scored another goal before the final whistle and won the game 3-0,” she reacted.
Next
Our ladies will look to build on Wednesday’s big win next Saturday when they host the Zomba-based Red Lioness.
