FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women resumed their FAM Women’s Football Southern Region League title defence with a 2-0 victory over Ndirande Soccer Giants at Nyambadwe Ground on Sunday afternoon.
Bullets were exempted from competitive action for four weeks after contributing three players; Bernadette Mkandawire, Vanessa Chikupila and Lyna James to the Malawi national team that won the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship in South Africa a week ago.
Asiyatu George broke the deadlock in the 17th minute with a perfect finish after she was fed by Tendai Sani.
Ndirande nearly pulled level through Fatima William’s powerful drive five minutes before the break, but Bullets survived the scare as Thoko Mwase kept us in the game with a brilliant save.
Four minutes later, the hosts had another chance from a freekick but Sarah Mlimbika failed to utilize the chance as her effort flew over the crossbar.
The two sides created several chances but could not get the ball into the net and it was Maule ladies who finished the first half with a 1-0 lead.
Assistant coach Charles Lubani, who is in charge of the team in the absence of head coach Maggie Chombo, made his first substitution early in the second half when he replaced Iouillia Yianakis with Beatrice Makoka.
The second half began with a disappointing miss from Makoka, who had an opportunity to double our lead but had her shot away from the post just outside the penalty area.
The Bullets number 12 continued getting chances unfortunately she had to see three attempts off target.
Alice Funsani gifted the visitors a second goal when she directed the ball past her keeper in the 53rd minute.
Makoka battled with the opponents into the goal area and Funsani’s effort to stop the striker left her jaw dropped when she found herself scoring in her own net.
Two minutes later another substitution breathed life when Caro Mlenzo was taken out for Caro Majamanda.
In the 64th minute, George would have recorded a brace on the afternoon but her strike from a rebound was ruled out for offside.
Bullets had an opportunity to make it three from the spot, however, Sharon Dzimau was unfortunate to see her penalty kick hit the post.
In the 79th minute, Lubani made another change when she withdrew Asimenye Mwanyongo for Kirsten Weir.
The hosts fought hard in the three added minutes but their efforts to reduce the arrears paid no dividends as the match ended 2-0 in favour of Bullets Women.
This was the first game in a while without the presence of both the 2021 and 2022 Golden Boot winners Mary Chavinda and Vanessa Chikupila.
Chavinda has left the team for Rayon Sports Women’s Football Club from Rwanda while the latter was rested.
Despite the absence of the two top strikers, Lubani was impressed with the performance of his ladies.
“Our squad has been changed and most of them were new to being in the first 11, they usually play as substitutes, but we are very proud of how they’ve played. Our concentration, possession and focus were on point and I have great faith in these new youngsters,” said the vice-coach after the game.
