Chikumbutso Salima's Decisive Header Secures Crucial 1-0 Win for Bullets, Narrows Title Race
In a thrilling turn of events at Champion Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Chikumbutso Salima's second-half header secured a vital 1-0 win for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets over Mafco FC, pulling them within one point of TNM Super League leaders Mighty Wanderers.
Fresh from their 2-0 triumph over Mzuzu City Hammers on Thursday, Bullets headed into their final away game of the first round with confidence and determination to capitalize on Wanderers' 1-1 draw against Chitipa United 24 hours earlier.
Bullets started the game strongly, with Lameck Gamphani making a blistering run on the right in the 7th minute, only to drag his shot inches wide of the far post. Moments later, Yamikani Mologeni whipped in a fine delivery to find Gamphani again, but his header narrowly missed the target as Bullets pushed for an opener.
Peter Mponda made two early tactical substitutions, bringing on Hassan Kajoke and Maxwell Phodo for Gamphani and Frank Willard, respectively. At the other end, Mafco nearly punished Bullets on the counter when Prince Kachere beat his man and hit the post.
Minutes later, Innocent Nyasulu was called into action, producing a brilliant stop to deny Kachere again. Bullets created two more openings before the break, the best being a flowing move involving Mologeni, Lungu, and Phodo, which ended with Kajoke's effort being blocked in the box following a miscommunication.
Salima Heads Us to Victory
Babatunde came on for Phodo to add firepower in attack, and Bullets nearly went ahead when Mikuwa spilled Salima's cross. The rebound fell to Babatunde, but he blasted over from a tight angle.
Mafco almost responded immediately through Rodwell Robert, whose cross flashed dangerously across the face of goal, with Kachere arriving late by inches. As both sides hunted for the opener, Bullets introduced Mike Mkwate for Kajoke to strengthen midfield control, and Peter Banda replaced Kondowe with 15 minutes to go.
Then came the breakthrough. In the 77th minute, Salima, having started the move with a ball recovery on the left, delivered a cross that was only partially cleared. Mologeni seized possession and returned a perfectly-weighted cross to the far post, where Salima, ghosting in, nodded home with composure.
1-0. Bullets pushed for a second, with Babatunde forcing Mikuwa into another save. The clearance landed at the feet of Paul Master, who unleashed a rocket — but Ndhlovu made a last-ditch block to keep Mafco in the contest.
Master the Midfield General
Midfielder Paul Master was immense throughout the 90 minutes, covering every blade of grass and controlling the tempo of the game. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award—his first in Bullets colors since joining two months ago.
What It Means
The victory in Mponela means The People's Team now sits on 33 points, just one behind leaders Mighty Wanderers (34), with both sides having played 14 games. We will now return home to Kamuzu Stadium for our final first-round fixture against Karonga United, while Wanderers face Civil Service United away in Lilongwe. It's all to play for—and the fight continues.
Summary: In a crucial away match against Mafco FC, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets secured a vital 1-0 win, thanks to a decisive second-half header by Chikumbutso Salima. The victory pulls The People's Team within one point of the TNM Super League leaders, Mighty Wanderers, who drew 1-1 against Chitipa United earlier in the day. Bullets, fresh from their 2-0 thrashing of Mzuzu City Hammers on Thursday, started confidently and created several scoring opportunities in the first half, but failed to find the back of the net. The team made two early tactical substitutions, which paid off as they scored the only goal of the game in the 77th minute through Salima's header. The win moves Bullets to 33 points, just one behind Wanderers, with both teams having played 14 games. The team will now return home to face Karonga United in their final first-round fixture, while Wanderers face Civil Service United away in Lilongwe.
