FCB Nyasa Big Bullets moved into the top three of the FDH Bank Premiership after Ephraim Kondowe’s second-half penalty secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Masters Football Club at Mpira Stadium on Monday afternoon.
The narrow victory saw the defending champions collect all three points in a match that demanded patience, discipline, and resilience from both sides. While Bullets dominated possession for long periods, Masters FC proved difficult to break down and remained competitive until the final whistle.
The first half ended goalless despite Bullets creating several promising scoring opportunities. Their attacking players repeatedly found space in dangerous areas but lacked the clinical finishing needed to take an early lead. Masters defended with determination and relied on quick counterattacks whenever opportunities arose.
After the break, Bullets continued to pile pressure on the visitors and were eventually rewarded just 10 minutes into the second half when they won a penalty. Ephraim Kondowe stepped up confidently and calmly converted from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to hand the home side a deserved 1-0 advantage.Gwamba appointed FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Brand Ambassador
The goal shifted the momentum further in Bullets’ favour, but the visitors refused to surrender. Masters pushed more players forward in search of an equaliser, creating a tense finish that kept supporters on the edge of their seats.
As the clock ticked down, Masters came agonisingly close to rescuing a point. With only two minutes remaining, Chikaiko Batison found himself in an excellent position inside the penalty area but headed the ball over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy. The missed opportunity proved costly as Bullets held on to secure maximum points.
The victory lifts FCB Nyasa Big Bullets to third place in the FDH Bank Premiership standings with 16 points from eight matches, strengthening their position in the early title race.
Speaking after the match, Bullets head coach Wedson Wadawada Nyirenda praised his players for their overall performance but admitted they should have finished the contest much earlier.
Nyirenda said his side created enough chances to score more than one goal and stressed the need for greater composure in front of goal. He noted that although his team dominated large spells of the match, failing to convert chances allowed Masters to stay in the contest until the closing minutes.
Despite the missed opportunities, the Bullets coach expressed satisfaction with the team’s determination, defensive discipline, and ability to grind out an important victory.
On the opposite bench, Masters FC assistant coach Victor Mphande acknowledged that his side failed to execute their tactical plan effectively.
Mphande admitted Bullets controlled key moments of the game and deserved the victory, adding that his players struggled to implement the strategies prepared before kick-off. However, he remained optimistic that the team would learn from the defeat and improve in upcoming fixtures.
The defeat extends Masters FC’s poor run of form to three consecutive league losses, having previously fallen to Ekhaya FC and Creck Sporting Club. The recent results have slowed what had been a promising start to their campaign and increased pressure on the technical panel to reverse the team’s fortunes.
For Bullets, the win represents another important step as they continue chasing the league’s top positions. Their defence remained organised throughout the contest, while their midfield controlled possession for extended periods despite the narrow scoreline.
With the FDH Bank Premiership season gathering momentum, Bullets will be hoping this victory sparks another winning run as they continue their pursuit of league honours. Masters FC, on the other hand, face the challenge of ending their losing streak and rebuilding confidence before their next assignment.
The result leaves Bullets with renewed confidence and valuable momentum, while Masters FC must quickly regroup if they are to remain competitive in the race for a strong finish in this season’s FDH Bank Premiership.
