FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Under-19 suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Ekhaya Youth in the Blantyre District Youth Football League on Saturday morning at Kamuzu Stadium.
Despite a dominant start in which Blessings Lungu rattled the crossbar early on, the young Maule fell behind in the 23rd minute to a Depay Banda strike and were unable to find a way back, with substitute Jazeel Bannet squandering the best chance to equalise in the second half.
First Half Action
Bullets started brightly at home, putting early pressure on Ekhaya Youth. Within the opening three minutes, Charles Kasalanga’s cross forced the visitors into conceding a corner, though Kelvin Phiri’s delivery was well dealt with by the defence.
Moments later, the young Maule came within inches of taking the lead when Blessings Lungu rose highest to meet another Kasalanga ball into the area, only to see his powerful header cannon off the crossbar.
The visitors responded in the seventh minute with a corner of their own, but Miracle Kutelela’s header drifted wide of the target. Bullets quickly hit back through a Prince Jamali set-piece, though once again Ekhaya’s defence stood firm to clear the danger.
Ekhaya tried to grow into the contest and, on 18 minutes, Depay Banda lined up a free kick from distance. His attempt, however, was comfortably blocked by the Bullets wall, ensuring the match remained goalless in the early stages.
But five minutes later, the visitors struck first. Banda shrugged off his marker inside the area before calmly slotting the ball beyond Hopeson Phiri at the far post to hand Ekhaya a 1-0 advantage after 23 minutes.
Ekhaya continued to push forward and nearly doubled their lead in the 29th minute from a short corner routine. Frank Tembo found space to take aim, but his effort flew harmlessly wide of the target.
Bullets were then dealt an early blow in the 33rd minute when Steven Bika was forced off through injury, with Jazeel Bannet coming on in his place. Despite showing determination to find a way back into the contest, the young Maule went into the break trailing 1-0, with Ekhaya Youth holding firm after the opening 35 minutes.
Second Half Action
Our youngsters returned from the break determined to overturn the deficit, with head coach Yamikani Fodya urging his charges to raise the tempo and take control of proceedings.
The second half kicked off with the young Maule immediately on the front foot, pushing forward in search of an equaliser. By the 40th minute, Bullets were camped in the Ekhaya half, but the visitors’ defence stood firm under pressure to protect their slender lead.
Five minutes later, Bullets earned a free kick in a promising position just outside the penalty area, but Kelvin Phiri’s strike flew over the bar, letting Ekhaya off the hook. The visitors responded with a change, introducing Maxwell Simfukwe in place of Razak John as they looked to tighten their grip on the game.
On 55 minutes, Fodya turned to his bench, making a double substitution to inject fresh energy. Gomezgani Maziya replaced Madula, while Esau Kumwenda came on for Duncan Phiri.
The changes gave Bullets more attacking impetus, and five minutes later they forced another corner. Kelvin Phiri swung in the delivery, but once again Ekhaya’s defence managed to clear their lines as the search for an equaliser continued.
The young Maule then came agonisingly close in the 67th minute. Substitute Maziya slipped Jazeel Bannet through on goal, but the forward wasted a golden opportunity to level the scores, leaving Ekhaya relieved to still be in front.
Despite Bullets pushing forward until the final whistle, the equaliser never came. The referee brought proceedings to an end with Ekhaya Youth holding on to claim a narrow 1-0 victory at Kamuzu Stadium.
What It Means
The loss means Fodya’s boys remain on position three with 22 points and have suffered five defeats this campaign, with Ekhaya on second position with 25 points and Mighty Wanderers Youth top the standings with 27 points before they play on Sunday.
