Salima, Babatunde steer Bullets past KB

The numbers tell a story of clinical efficiency—26 goals between them, 17 assists orchestrating chaos in opposition defenses. But statistics alone cannot capture what Chikumbutso Salima and Babatunde Adepoju have become for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets: a perfectly balanced instrument of destruction, blending artistry with ruthlessness.

On Thursday afternoon at Civo Stadium, this devastating partnership delivered once again, their first-half strikes dismantling Kamuzu Barracks 2-0 and propelling Bullets back to the summit of Malawian football. With Mighty Wanderers breathing down their necks after Wednesday’s comfortable 3-0 dispatch of Mighty Tigers, Peter Mponda’s men understood the assignment: reclaim the throne or surrender momentum in this pulsating title race.

Salima is football’s equivalent of quicksilver—elusive, fluid, impossible to contain. His feet possess a language defenders cannot decipher, weaving patterns that leave opponents grasping at shadows. Yet unlike many dribblers who dazzle without delivering, the winger has weaponized his gift. Eleven assists this season aren’t accidents; they’re the harvest of a player who understands that individual brilliance must serve collective ambition.

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Adepoju presents the contrasting force—a physical specimen whose imposing frame disguises surprising technical refinement. Six assists reveal a forward who creates as readily as he finishes, but it’s his predatory instinct in the penalty area that terrorizes backlines. Thirteen goals speak to a striker who transforms half-chances into nightmares for goalkeepers.

Together, they form a dual threat that has become Bullets’ insurance policy in tight matches, their signature blend of penetration and power.

From the opening whistle, Bullets swarmed Kamuzu Barracks with wave after wave of attacks. The intent was unmistakable—this wouldn’t be a cautious chess match but an assault designed to overwhelm.

Chrispin Mapemba struck the wall from a dangerous free kick in the second minute, his follow-up sailing harmlessly over. Two minutes later, Adepoju’s thunderous long-range drive cannoned off the post, the reverberations a warning of what was to come. Ephraim Kondowe and Yamikani Mologeni squandered promising positions as Bullets carved open the Barracks defense repeatedly.

The breakthrough arrived in the 12th minute through a moment of telepathic understanding. Salima exchanged passes with Chawanangwa Gumbo in tight space, the ball moving faster than defenders could react. When the opening appeared, Salima didn’t hesitate—a composed finish that showcased not just his dribbling wizardry but his killer instinct when opportunities present themselves.

Kamuzu Barracks, still reeling from their controversial venue change and recent defeat to Mighty Tigers, attempted to respond. John Mchema’s acrobatic bicycle kick drew gasps but not goals. A penalty appeal in the 33rd minute fell on deaf ears as referee Godfrey Nkhakananga waved away protests after Zeliat Nkhoma’s challenge on Andrew Jovinala.

Then, in first-half stoppage time, the partnership delivered its masterpiece. Salima tormented Lloyd Mughala down the right flank before whipping in a cross that seemed painted onto Adepoju’s forehead. The towering striker rose majestically, his header leaving Charles Chisale stranded—2-0 and effectively game over.

The second half became an exercise in game management. Mponda introduced fresh legs—Hassan Kajoke, Sean McBrams, and Kennedy Musonda—to maintain intensity without risking his stars. McBrams immediately justified his selection, surging past two defenders before delivering a dangerous cross that Salima narrowly failed to convert.

Kamuzu Barracks captain Gregory Nachipo tried to rally his troops, but Bullets’ defensive structure remained resolute. Kajoke thought he’d added a third in the 83rd minute, only for the offside flag to deny him. Mponda withdrew both goalscorers late, preserving them for the battles ahead.

When the final whistle confirmed the victory, Bullets had recaptured first place with 56 points from 24 matches—a slender one-point advantage over Wanderers, who have a game in hand.

Nicholas Mhango’s post-match admission—”We didn’t play according to plan”—understated the gulf in class. His lament about the venue change rang hollow against Bullets’ dominance. Meanwhile, assistant coach Gilbert Chirwa’s measured response reflected a team refusing to get carried away despite the pressure cooker atmosphere.

“There is no team which plays well without pressure,” Chirwa observed, acknowledging the weight of expectations while maintaining focus on Sunday’s clash with Creck Sporting Club.

The title race has crystallized into a two-horse sprint, with every point precious and every performance scrutinized. But in Salima and Adepoju, Bullets possess what championship teams require—match-winners who deliver when the stakes are highest, artists who understand that beauty without results is merely entertainment.

Featured image- Mlatho