FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Under-19s ended their FCB Katswiri U19 Blantyre District Youth Football League campaign in third place, finishing strong with a 3–2 victory over Ndirande Dortmund at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday morning.
Jazil Bannet’s early strike put the Young Maule ahead, and his second goal doubled the lead, setting the tone for a thrilling encounter. Despite Dortmund’s late fightback, Mike Kalanda’s clinical finish restored a two-goal cushion, allowing Bullets to hold on for a morale-boosting win.
Even with the victory, Bullets finish third in the league, as Ekhaya Youth secured second place with a slightly better goal difference — Ekhaya 25, Bullets 24. The win, however, capped a strong season and highlighted the squad’s resilience and talent.
First Half: Dream Start for the Young Maule
The Young Maule made a perfect start, taking the lead inside five minutes.
Bannet reacted quickest to a deflected effort from Blessings Lungu, following clever build-up play from Osman George, to open the scoring and ignite the team.
Bullets immediately pressed, winning a corner in the sixth minute. Lungu delivered quickly and combined with George, but Dortmund’s defence stood firm.
In the 11th minute, Twalik Kalim nearly equalised with a thunderous strike that rattled the post. Bullets responded with composure, and in the 18th minute Hassan Madula unleashed a powerful shot that was deflected out for a corner. Lungu’s quick delivery tested Dortmund again, highlighting Bullets’ sharp attacking cohesion.
The second goal arrived in the 27th minute. Bannet capitalised on a goalkeeper error by Clement Phabuli, calmly slotting home to make it 2–0. Bullets dominated possession, dictating the tempo and maintaining control despite Dortmund threatening, including a near-miss against the crossbar in the 38th minute. The first half ended with the Young Maule in a strong position.
Half-time: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets U19s 2-0 Ndirande Dortmund
Second Half: Responding to Pressure
Yamikani Fodya’s boys started the second half with fresh intent, probing for a third goal while the visitors remained disciplined.
In the 50th minute, Precious Waya replaced Caleb Chapendeka, injecting energy into the attack. Eight minutes later, Charles Kasalanga and Esau Kumwenda came on for Madula and Lungu, strengthening midfield and forward options.
The hosts continued to dominate possession. In the 63rd minute, Kasalanga delivered a brilliant cross to Jazil Bannet, whose strike rattled the left post. Moments later, Kasalanga’s own shot went over the bar. The Young Maule maintained pressure, probing Dortmund’s defence with creativity and intent.
In the 67th minute, Kalanda extended the lead with a composed finish following a brilliant cross from Bannet, assisted by Kasalanga, making it 3–1, restoring a two-goal cushion and reasserting Bullets’ control.
Dortmund reduced the deficit in the 70th minute when Kalim scored to make it 3–2, sparking a tense finale. Bullets absorbed the pressure with intelligent defending, including a crucial clearance by Yusuf Chambakata from a 75th-minute free kick. In the 78th minute, Aubrey Dickies came on for Kalanda to add defensive stability.
Full-time: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets U19s 3-2 Ndirande Dortmund
What It Means
Despite the thrilling 3–2 victory, Bullets finish third in the BDYFL. The Young Maule end the season with 57 points, level with Ekhaya Youth, but behind on goal difference — Bullets 24, Ekhaya 25.
The win highlights the resilience, attacking quality, and tactical awareness of Fodya’s squad, ending the campaign on a positive note and building momentum for next season.
Coach’s Postmatch Reaction
Coach Fodya reflected on the season and Sunday’s performance:
“It was a tough encounter today, especially with opponents fighting hard to avoid relegation, but my boys showed incredible spirit and determination. We took control early, building a two-goal lead in the first half, and even though they came at us strongly in the second half, we managed to stay composed and see the game through.
We are extremely proud of the squad’s performance throughout the season. Many of these players came straight from the under-16 ranks, and they truly proved themselves, finishing in the top three of the league—a remarkable achievement. The growth, commitment, and teamwork they displayed have been outstanding.
This season was full of memorable moments—moments of brilliance from players like Jazil Bannet, Ahmed Ayami, Osman George, Aubrey Dickies, Charles Kasalanga, and Blessings Lungu, the never-say-die attitude in crucial matches, and the crowd-pleasing goals that kept our fans on the edge of their seats.
Now, as we move into the off-season, it’s a time for reflection—looking back at the positives, learning from challenges, and preparing for an even stronger campaign ahead. We’re excited about the future, the young talents rising through the ranks, and the collective ambition that drives this team.
The journey continues—thank you to everyone who supported us this season. Here’s to building on our successes and coming back even stronger.”
What’s Next
Bullets Under-19s will now focus on preparing for next season, analysing key areas for improvement while building on the experiences gained this year. The team demonstrated resilience, quality, and fighting spirit, closing the campaign with pride and momentum for seasons ahead.
