Mary Chavinda struck a hat-trick as Bullets Women returned to winning ways with a commanding 6-1 victory over Rumphi Sisters in the NBM Women’s Premiership.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion, sweeping aside Rumphi Sisters FC 6-1 at Mpira Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Mary Chavinda led the scoring with a hat-trick, Vanessa Issa netted twice and Lyna James added another as Maggie Chombo’s side delivered an impressive attacking performance in the NBM Women’s Premiership.
The result lifted Bullets Women to 15 points from seven matches, with five victories and two defeats, as they responded to last weekend’s narrow loss to MDF Lioness.
Bullets Make Flying Start
Bullets began on the front foot, taking control of the opening exchanges as they pressed forward in search of an early breakthrough.
The hosts nearly found the opener in the 14th minute when Issa raced onto a long ball, but Rumphi Sisters goalkeeper Jane Nyirenda reacted quickly to deny her.
A minute later, Chavinda broke the deadlock, latching onto a long pass from Bernadetta Mkandawire before beating the goalkeeper and slotting home a low finish.
The goal gave Bullets early momentum, and they doubled their advantage in the 20th minute when Issa connected with a delivery from Linda Nyangu to make it 2-0.
Maule Ladies continued pushing forward, with the visitors struggling to contain their attacking movement.
Rumphi Sisters defender Ulemu Khonje was booked in the 24th minute following a foul on Nyangu as the hosts maintained their pressure.
Chavinda Doubles Her Tally
Bullets extended their lead on the half-hour mark when Chavinda reacted quickest after Nyirenda saved Issa’s initial effort, firing home the rebound to complete her brace.
However, Rumphi Sisters responded just two minutes later through Elikanah Munthali, who capitalised on a defensive mistake to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
Issa threatened again in the 37th minute, creating two promising opportunities but failing to beat the visitors’ goalkeeper.
Chombo made her first change a minute later, introducing Ireen Mbesa for Florida Safilodi, while Rumphi Sisters brought on Roseney Nkhonjera for Nomsa Luhanga.
Bullets remained in control through the closing stages of the half, taking a two-goal advantage into the break.
Half-time: Bullets Women 3-1 Rumphi Sisters
Issa Restores Three-Goal Cushion
Bullets Women returned for the second half with renewed attacking intent, with Chombo introducing Tadala James for Fauzah Mohammed at the interval.
Chavinda continued troubling the visitors’ defence, testing Nyirenda with a free-kick in the 49th minute.
Seven minutes later, the forward delivered a promising pass to Issa, who collided with Nyirenda as she prepared to shoot. Both players recovered and continued.
Issa was booked for dangerous play in the 60th minute but responded almost immediately with her second goal of the afternoon.
After receiving a pass from James, the striker saw her initial attempt saved before reacting quickest to the rebound and firing home in the 61st minute to restore Bullets’ three-goal cushion.
Rumphi Sisters defender Kettie Gondwe was booked a minute later for a foul on Nyangu, with Chavinda’s resulting free-kick comfortably saved.
The visitors made another change in the 65th minute, introducing Regina Chimbaranga for Queen Kumwenda.
James Stretches the Lead
Bullets continued creating opportunities, with Chavinda remaining at the centre of their attacking play.
The forward came close in the 70th minute after receiving a pass from Leah Mussa but failed to make clean contact with her effort.
Three minutes later, Chavinda turned provider, setting up James, who finished calmly past Nyirenda to extend the lead to 5-1.
Issa nearly completed her own hat-trick in the 75th minute when she struck the post after receiving a pass from Chavinda.
The striker followed up on the rebound, but Nyirenda recovered to make the save and deny her a third goal.
Chombo introduced Swemma John for Issa in the 80th minute, and the substitute quickly became involved in the attacking moves.
John forced a save from Nyirenda in the 85th minute before another promising opportunity went begging two minutes later.
Chavinda Completes Hat-Trick
With Bullets firmly in control, Chombo made two further changes deep into stoppage time, introducing Alinafe Kalipinde and Grace Yotamu for Mussa and Nyangu respectively.
Rumphi Sisters also brought on Glory Mapunda for Khonje as the contest entered its closing moments.
Chavinda capped a memorable afternoon in the 90+6th minute, racing onto a long ball from goalkeeper Sphiwe Mkwalura before finishing clinically to complete her hat-trick and make it 6-1.
The visitors made their final change after the goal, with goalkeeper Chrissy Chirambo replacing Nyirenda as play continued into additional stoppage time.
Chavinda was named Player of the Match after a commanding display that yielded three goals and an assist.
For Bullets Women, the six-goal performance provided an emphatic response to last weekend’s setback against MDF Lioness, with Chombo’s side rediscovering their attacking edge to claim a fifth league victory.
Full-time: Bullets Women 6-1 Rumphi Sisters
The victory leaves Bullets Women third in the NBM Women’s Premiership standings on 15 points from seven matches, level with leaders Silver Strikers Ladies and second-placed Ascent Soccer Academy.
Ascent also secured an emphatic 6-0 away victory over FACT Ladies at Nankhaka Stadium in Saturday’s other fixture, keeping pace with the leading pack. Silver, who have played one game fewer, remain top on goal difference of +16, ahead of Ascent on +15 and Bullets on +10.
The standings could shift further following Sunday’s fixtures, with Silver hosting Mighty Wanderers Queens at Silver Stadium, while fourth-placed Civil Service Women, two points behind the leading trio, travel to Mpira Stadium to face Kukoma Ntopwa Women.
MDF Lioness also host Chitoliro Heroines at Civo Stadium as the remaining Week 7 fixtures bring another opportunity for teams to strengthen their league positions.
Bullets Women XI
1 Sphiwe Mkwalura; 22 Bernadetta Mkandawire, 19 Florida Safilodi (13 Ireen Mbesa, 38’), 2 Effa Msukwa, 6 Chimwemwe Sapangwa, 3 Lyna James, 27 Leah Mussa (12 Alinafe Kalipinde, 90+6’), 21 Linda Nyangu (25 Grace Yotamu, 90+6’), 20 Fauzah Mohammed (18 Tadala James, HT), 10 Mary Chavinda, 26 Vanessa Issa (23 Swemma John, 80’).
Substitutes Not Used: 16 Bridget Malemia, 7 Wongani Kumwenda, 8 Carol Mulenzo.
Rumphi Sisters XI
1 Jane Nyirenda (16 Chrissy Chirambo, stoppage time); 2 Ulemu Khonje (4 Glory Mapunda, 90+6’), 5 Tabitha Ngulube, 3 Kettie Gondwe, 11 Chance Mwenda, 7 Queen Kumwenda (21 Regina Chimbaranga, 65’), 13 Selina Chawinga, 8 Nomsa Luhanga (19 Roseney Nkhonjera, 38’), 20 Eddah A. Gondwe, 10 Elikanah Munthali, 18 Sidah Madson.
Substitutes Not Used: 6 Olivia M’thunzi, 14 Ruth Botha, 15 Grace Mutambo, 12 Twambire Nyirenda, 22 Grace Msukwa.
Match Details
Competition: NBM Women’s Premiership
Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
Venue: Mpira Stadium, Blantyre
Result: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women 6-1 Rumphi Sisters FC
Goals: Mary Chavinda 15’, 30’, 90+6’; Vanessa Issa 20’, 61’; Lyna James 73’ (Bullets Women); Elikanah Munthali 32’ (Rumphi Sisters).
Yellow Cards: Vanessa Issa (Bullets Women); Ulemu Khonje, Kettie Gondwe (Rumphi Sisters).
Player of the Match: Mary Chavinda (Bullets Women)
