FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Under-19 suffered their first defeat of the second round after a 2-1 loss to Griffin Stars on Saturday afternoon, bringing their four-match winning streak to an end in a tightly contested league fixture.
The young Maule went into the Blantyre District Youth Football League match full of confidence following four consecutive victories, but two defensive lapses proved costly as the hosts claimed maximum points.
First-Half Action
Bullets U19s started brightly, showing sharpness and intent from the opening whistle.
Inside two minutes, they created the first chance of the match when Osman George played a short corner to Charles Kasalanga, whose strike flew over the bar.
In the 8th minute, Bullets launched a quick counterattack after defending a Griffin Stars corner, but George’s final effort went straight at the goalkeeper.
The visitors continued to threaten. A well-delivered free kick from Willy Demakube found George inside the box, but the forward fired narrowly wide.
After absorbing early pressure, Griffin settled and began creating chances of their own. A moment of poor defensive communication allowed the hosts to break the deadlock as Mark Chipala slotted home the opener.
The hosts grew in confidence and threatened again through several set pieces, but goalkeeper McDonald Chikwambiri made a solid save from a 32nd-minute free kick.
Our youngsters attempted to respond before the break, with a good combination between Duncan Kumbuyo and Kasalanga in the 38th minute, but the home side cleared their lines.
The first half ended with Bullets trailing 1-0.
Second-Half Action
Coach Yamikani Fodya made an attacking change at the restart, introducing Blessings Lungu for Vincent Moyo.
The switch nearly paid off immediately when Hassan Madula found space in the box after a Kasalanga setup, but he dragged his effort wide.
More changes followed in the 53rd minute, with Gomezgani Maziya and Emanuel Kaswaswa replacing Kingsley and Precious Waya, bringing renewed energy to Bullets’ attack.
The equaliser arrived soon after. Madula sparked the move, Jazil Bannet delivered a precise cross, and Kasalanga finished superbly to make it 1-1.
Buoyed by the goal, Bullets dominated possession and looked the stronger side. Maziya came close to turning the game around when he headed inches wide from a George corner.
But Griffin Stars continued posing threats from set pieces. A 72nd-minute free kick went narrowly over the bar with Chikwambiri beaten.
Bullets pushed again, but Kumbuyo’s 75th-minute free kick went straight at the keeper.
Then came the decisive moment.
A handball inside the box with the goalkeeper off his line resulted in a penalty to Griffin Stars. Chipala stepped up and converted his second of the afternoon to restore Griffin’s lead at 2-1.
Despite a late push from the young Bullets, the hosts held firm until the final whistle.
What It Means
The defeat ends Bullets U19s’ four-match winning run and marks their first loss of the second round.
They remain on 40 points from 20 matches as they continue their league campaign.
Coach’s Reaction
“It was a tough game. Griffin Stars are a good side, and they punished us from our mistakes. That’s football—we lost, but our focus now is on moving forward.
The boys are still learning, and they must grow from moments like this, whether we win, lose, or draw.
We will go back to training, correct our mistakes, and prepare for the next match. We take each game as it comes.”
