FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves Draw Blank with Liberty FC in ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves missed an opportunity to move closer to the leaders of the ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League after a goalless draw with Liberty FC at Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The young Maule, who have been in impressive form this season, dominated possession and created numerous chances but were unable to find the back of the net, leaving them in third place with 28 points from 15 matches.
The match began cautiously with both sides feeling their way into the contest. Liberty FC threatened first in the 4th minute, winning an early corner, but the Bullets defence stood firm to clear the danger. The hosts thought they had taken the lead in the 10th minute when Hadji Steven tucked home a Misheck Billiat cross, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Bullets grew into the game and began dictating the tempo, with Steven and Billiat combining well in attack. The chances started to come, and in the 20th minute, Matthews Nkunika came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when his powerful strike rattled the near post. Chimango Kayira’s side responded in the 28th minute, but they fired over the bar. Bullets remained on the front foot as Billiat forced a save in the 34th minute after being teed up by Steven.
In the closing stages of the first half, Heston Munthali’s men created two clear opportunities. Movic Banda dragged his effort wide from a Kampira cross, before Billiat blazed over from close range following a delivery by Kondwani Tebulo. Despite the pressure, the first half ended goalless.
Bullets resumed with the same attacking intent after the break. Early on, Banda rose highest to meet a Billiat cross, but his header went narrowly wide. In the 55th minute, Maule turned defence into attack when captain Oscar Petro released Steven on the break. The forward found Billiat, who unfortunately dragged his shot wide. Munthali made his first change soon after, bringing on Enos Henderman for Kondwani Mhone to add fresh legs in midfield.
Liberty threatened briefly with a free kick just past the hour mark, but the attempt sailed harmlessly wide. The young People’s Team responded by mounting pressure of their own, winning three successive corners in the 74th minute, though the visitors’ defence remained resolute. Substitutions followed, with Prince Chalera and Maclay Chiwaya coming on for Steven and the injured Henderman.
Chiwaya combined well with Billiat before sending a strike on target, but Kampira was caught offside in the build-up. As the clock ticked down, Bullets pushed harder. Chalera’s header from a Billiat cross forced yet another corner, but Liberty stood firm.
The draw means Bullets Reserves will finish the first round of the league in third place, three points behind leaders Ekhaya Reserves and two adrift of city rivals Mighty Wanderers Reserves. Despite the disappointing result, Bullets coach Heston Munthali remained upbeat about his team’s chances in the second round.
"We created several chances today, but we just couldn’t find the back of the net," Munthali said after the match. "We will regroup and focus on the second round. We have what it takes to challenge for the title."
Bullets will next face Ekhaya Reserves in the second round, which is expected to be a closely contested encounter between the two title contenders.
Meanwhile, Liberty FC coach Chimango Kayira was full of praise for his team’s defensive performance.
"We knew it was going to be a tough game against Bullets, but we stood firm and managed to hold them to a draw," Kayira said. "We are delighted with the result and will continue to work hard in the second round."
The ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League continues next week with more exciting matches. Stay tuned for updates.
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Summary: In a closely contested match, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves drew 0-0 with Liberty FC in the first round of the 2025 ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, the young Bullets were unable to find the back of the net, settling for third place in the standings with 28 points from 15 matches. The match was characterized by cautious play in the early stages, with both sides feeling each other out. Bullets began to take control in the second half, creating several clear opportunities, but were unable to convert them. The draw means Bullets Reserves will finish the first round in third place, three points behind leaders Ekhaya Reserves and two adrift of city rivals Mighty Wanderers Reserves.
