FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women’s 13-0 victory over Eleven Stars at Mpira Stadium on Sunday afternoon saw Maggie Chombo’s side clinch the 2024 Goshen FAM Women’s Football Southern League without a loss.
Our ladies’ team finished the campaign with 50 points after registering 16 wins and two draws, scoring 148 goals and conceding only nine.
Sunday’s report
In a blistering start, Chimwemwe Sapangwa netted a stunning free kick to put Chombo’s ladies ahead in the second minute of the match after Ioulia Yiannakis was fouled outside the area. With pinpoint accuracy, the defender curled the ball past Cecilia Yohane to set the tone for an electrifying match.
Bullets extended the advantage five minutes later through Tendai Sani’s clinical finish. Leah Mussa’s pinpoint pass unlocked the opposition’s defence, finding the midfielder in a prime position. With composure and precision, she slotted the ball home, doubling our lead she scored her 60th goal of the league campaign.
With a phenomenal attacking display, the hosts were 3-0 down before the tenth minute. Yiannakis expertly delivered a corner kick, finding Sani perfectly positioned and with unstoppable force, unleashing a thunderbolt strike, burying the ball into the net and leaving the opposition reeling.
Catherine Mthambo missed a gilt-edged chance to stretch our advantage. Linda Nyangu’s pass released the Bullets Women’s number 22 behind the defence, however, the midfielder failed to capitalise, squandering the opportunity in the 15th minute.
Bullets continued commanding the contest. Maintaining possession and pressuring relentlessly, they pinned the visitors deep within their own half.
In the 21st minute, Sani etched her name into the record books, securing a sensational hat-trick to cement her stellar performance.
Three minutes later the crowd witnessed the 2024 league top scorer’s fourth goal on the afternoon, further embellishing her dazzling display. Zainab Kapanda’s exquisite pass dissected the defence, finding Sani in acres of space. With clinical precision, she converted the opportunity, extending our lead to 5-0. Her quadruple strike left the opposition reeling even more as Chombo’s side solidified their grip on the match.
Yiannakis produced another scoring opportunity in the 32nd minute, delivering her third assist of the match. Her precise pass found Linda Nyangu, who expertly converted from the back post.
The Bullets number 11’s vision and creativity unravelled the opposition’s defence with pinpoint accuracy, highlighting her exceptional skills on both the left and right flanks.
Moments later, Mthambo finally got her deserved goal, courtesy of Yiannakis’ fourth assist, picking the midfielder to pounce with a clinical finish.
Bullets made the first substitution of the game as Chombo introduced Triphonia Banda for Asiyatu George in the 37th minute.
Our dominance paid off again when Sani was fouled inside the box and the midfielder stepped up confidently to convert the spot-kick as the rout continued, with her fifth goal underscoring our unstoppable attacking force.
Kapanda capped off an exhilarating first half with her first goal of the game, sealing Bullets Women’s 9-0 advantage. Her 41st-minute strike showcased individual brilliance, beating defenders with ease.
As the referee blew the half-time whistle, Bullets’ commanding lead underscored their absolute dominance for a side that was looking to reclaim the league title in fashion.
At the commencement of the second half, Chombo made another substitution, introducing Effa Msukwa in place of Nyangu. This switch aimed to inject fresh legs and maintain our relentless pressure.
In the 55th minute, Yiannakis unleashed a potent strike, only to be denied by the opposition goalkeeper. The rebound yielded a corner kick, which she expertly took. However, her ensuing attempt was valiantly cleared by the 11 Stars defence, momentarily stifling Bullets’ attacking momentum.
Kapanda doubled her tally after the hour mark, capitalizing on a rebound from Yiannakis’ saved shot. Banda initiated the swift counterattack, paving the way for Yiannakis’ effort. The opposition goalkeeper’s save proved futile as Kapanda seized the opportunity to pounce from close range.
Chombo injected fresh firepower, substituting Leah Mussa, Mthambo and Sharon Dzimau with Rachel Matemba, Caroline Mlezo and Vanessa Issa in the 62nd minute. Seeking to intensify pressure, the move aimed to exploit vulnerabilities.
Simultaneously, the visitors also made a change to their side, replacing Angella Salima with Happiness Chikaonda, attempting to stem our attacking tide.
After several assists, Yiannakis registered her name on the scoresheet in style, netting our 11th goal. A brilliant pass from Kapanda found the 16-year-old who expertly beat the visitors’ goalie and slotted the ball into the vacant net.
Sani continued her scoring spree, netting her sixth goal of the match and 65th in the league, sealing Bullets Women’s dominance after the 78th minute.
Mlezo delivered the final blow in the 87th minute. Sani’s dazzling dribble past the ‘keeper created the opening, and her pass found the midfielder, who calmly slotted home. This goal punctuated the rout, securing Bullets Women’s emphatic 13-0 victory.
What it means
With their resounding 13-0 triumph over 11 Stars, Bullets Women capped off a phenomenal season, securing the 2024 Goshen-FAM Women’s Football Southern Region League championship over second-placed Kukoma Ntopwa Women in style.
Their unbeaten campaign amassed 50 points from 18 games while Isaac Jomo Osman’s side finished second with 47 points following their 1-0 win over Bangwe Women in the second match played at Mpira Stadium on the same Sunday afternoon.
Chombo’s post-match reaction
“Winning the championship is an incredible achievement, to go undefeated and claim the title from last season’s champions, Ntopwa, makes it even sweeter. Our team’s hard work, discipline, and unity have paid off. I’m honoured to lead this talented group.”
