Chaos erupts as Bullets blow 3-1 lead against Karonga

It was a spectacle worthy of Kamuzu Stadium’s grand stage, a feast of goals, drama, and sheer football artistry as FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Karonga United played to a pulsating 3-3 draw in the TNM Super League.

From the first whistle, the stage was set for fireworks. Allen Chihana rolled the ball backwards to signal kick-off, and within just five minutes, the visitors threatened first. Alfred Chizinga connected a dangerous free kick, but Innocent Nyasulu’s sharp reflexes denied the opener, tipping the ball for a corner.

Bullets responded in emphatic fashion. In the 6th minute, a floated free kick from Peter Banda found Blessings Mpokera, who made no mistake, burying the ball home to ignite the stands.

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Karonga, undeterred, found their equalizer in the 12th minute through Benjamin Mapunda. His strike from outside the box took a wicked deflection, sneaking into the bottom right corner, leaving Nyasulu a mere spectator.

The hosts quickly restored their lead in the 17th minute through a moment of individual brilliance from Mike Mkwate, whose solo effort split the Karonga defense before slotting past MacLean Mwale.

The remainder of the first half was a showcase of intent from both sides — chances traded, tackles flying in, and the atmosphere electric. Karonga were forced into early changes: Zikani Mponda Munthali replaced the injured Sinto Chipole, and moments later, Lovemore Ngolombe came in for Dante Nedson.

The second half began with Bullets introducing Babatunde Adepoju and Yankho Singo for Ephraim Kondowe and Dominic Musonda. The hosts immediately pressed for a third, with Chikumbutso Salima spurning an early chance.

Karonga reshuffled again, withdrawing Munthali for Nuswe Mwalilino, but the Bullets pressure was relentless. Banda’s set-pieces and Paul Master’s midfield dominance kept the visitors on the back foot. Wongani Lungu missed a glorious chance. Maxwell Gasten Phodo was introduced for Banda in the 64th minute.

The turning point came in the 71st minute when Salima’s corner sparked confusion in the box, leading to a penalty. Babatunde stepped up and calmly converted to extend Bullets’ advantage to 3-1.

Karonga refused to fold. They pulled one back in the 77th minute through Allen Chihana, before Ngolombe saw yellow for dissent. Bullets then swapped Lungu for Henry Chiwaya, but the drama was far from over.

In the 85th minute, Alfred Chizinga struck at the near post connecting from a corner to level the tie, punishing Bullets for a momentary lapse at the back. Yamikani Mologeni replaced Frank Willard as Bullets searched for a late winner, but the visitors held on.

The closing stages were a blur of attacking waves, but neither side could find the decisive touch. When the dust settled, both teams had to settle for a point in a match that truly lived up to its billing.

Chikumbutso Salima was named Man of the Match for his tireless runs, creativity, and role in earning the crucial penalty.

A frightening end to the day as supporters rage against players, coach

The drama, however, was far from over. As the Bullets team bus prepared to leave, supporters from the Biafra stands blocked its path, their dissatisfaction boiling over into a frightening display of anger. The fans, furious about the team blowing a two-goal lead, began to stone the bus, leaving cracks and holes in its windows.

In the ensuing chaos, a spectator in a blue T-shirt was severely beaten by a group of fans in red, requiring security personnel to intervene. With the bus trapped and under attack, players and the technical panel were forced to find an alternative escape, discreetly leaving the stadium through back doors while the mob waited at the bus.

The fans’ rage was fueled by a central question: why the coach had made the substitutions he had, and how a team of Bullets’ caliber could “bottle” a 3-1 lead. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the intense passion—and at times, dangerous frustration—that defines football in Malawi, turning a memorable game into an unforgettable, and regrettable, night of conflict.

Bullets finish first round second, much improvement from last season

Analysis by

Antony Isaiah Jnr and Blessings Chitekwere

The recent 3-3 draw against Karonga United, while a point gained on paper, felt like a devastating loss for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets. The fury of the fans who stoned the team bus wasn’t just about this single result; it was an emotional response fueled by the frustrating inconsistency that has marked Bullets’ last two first-round campaigns.

The draw sees them blowing the chance of topping the table with a point following Mighty Wanderers’ draw against Civil Service United in the Capital City.

A look back at the past five seasons reveals a club that has gone from a near-perfect run of form to a more unpredictable, and ultimately, less dominant, presence at the top of the TNM Super League.

The gold standard for Bullets’ first-round performance remains the 2022 season. Under then-coach Kalisto Pasuwa, the team was an unstoppable force. They collected an incredible 41 points out of a possible 45, going unbeaten with 13 wins and just two draws. This dominance not only saw them comfortably finish the first round at the top of the table but also laid the groundwork for them to clinch the championship with games to spare.

The 2023 season, while ultimately a historic quadruple-winning campaign, saw a dip in their first-round performance. They finished with 30 points, a significant drop of 11 points from the previous year. This was a more vulnerable side, dropping points in six draws and one loss, a stark contrast to their invincible run a year prior.

This inconsistency continued into the 2024 season, which marked their poorest first-round performance in recent memory. They finished with a mere 23 points, a tally that placed them a distant 4th in the standings and led to a challenging season.

Current Campaign: A mix of promise and frustration

This brings us to the present season. Under new coach Peter Mponda, Bullets started brightly, leading the table after an impressive run of form. However, the closing matches of the first round have echoed the inconsistencies of recent years. The draw with Karonga United in their final match of the first round left them with 34 points, placing them second behind their rivals, Mighty Wanderers.

While 34 points is a marked improvement from the disappointing 23 points of the 2024 season and even surpasses their 2023 tally, the manner in which they dropped points in the final game—blowing a 3-1 lead—has left a bitter taste. The fan reaction, though extreme, highlights a growing impatience. They remember the unassailable 2022 season and expect a similar level of dominance.

In comparison, the Bullets of 2025 are a work in progress. They have shown flashes of their brilliant past but still struggle with the kind of defensive solidity and mental fortitude that defined their best-ever first-round run. The second round will be the true test of whether this team can overcome its recent vulnerabilities and reclaim the kind of commanding form their supporters so desperately crave.