FCB Nyasa Big Bullets strikers Babatunde Adepoju and Hassan Kajoke have scored a combined 18 goals in the 2025 TNM Super League, following their contributions to the side’s 3-0 demolition of MAFCO at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Tuesday.
Babatunde now tops the scorers’ chart with 12 goals, while Kajoke is fifth with six. On the league table, Bullets have 49 points from 20 matches, leading the standings as Mighty Wanderers trail with 42 points but with two games in hand.
In Tuesday’s game, Kajoke opened the scoring on the 37th minute.
He capitalised in the penalty box through an assist by Paul Master and managed to beat MAFCO’s goalie, Owen Mbale, who was defenseless.
The first 30 minutes of the game was a tight contest, with both sides testing each other but failing to create clear-cut opportunities.
Mafco were slightly more proactive in the opening 20 minutes, winning free kicks in the attacking half and taking shots, although their attempts were off-target.
On the other-hand, Bullets were are also trying to press forward; their main attacking threat in this period came from set-pieces and quick attacks, but offside issues interrupted their rhythm.
After Kajoke’s 37th minute goal, Bullets were now in control. Right before the half-time, as Peter Banda took a corner kick, Ephraim Kondowe was fouled in the box, resulting in a penalty kick.
Kajoke stepped up and scored his second.
As the second half commenced, Bullets coach, Peter Mponda, made two substitutions. Peter Banda was replaced by Yamikani Mologeni and Babatunde was introduced for Ephraim Kondowe.
Babatunde tried to make an impact just two minutes thereafter, but his shot went wide. Kajoke dribbled on the left flank and delivered a cross to his co-striker, only for him to miss.
On the 55th minute, Babatunde squandered a chance when he was clear to take a shot but hesitated and passed to Kajoke, and this time, MAFCO’s defence was re-organised to ensure that Bullets do not capitalise.
Rodwell Robert for MAFCO threatened Bullets’ defence on the 59th minute as his team launched a counter-attack but his shot, a right one, went above the crossbar. All this when he was unmarked.
Between the 62nd and 73rd minutes, Bullets introduced Sean McBrams for Bright Munthali and rested Kajoke for Chikumbutso Salima to strengthen the midfield while MAFCO introduced Prince Kachere for Zikani Sichinga to re-enforce their attack.
In these changes, it was Bullets who had played their cards right because on the 77th minute, McBrams became a master of his craft by dribbling past MAFCO’s defence to assist Babatunde who made it 3-0.
Five minutes later, MAFCO’s Paul Ndhlovu had a shot on target, but Bullets’ goalie, Innocent Nyasulu, managed to save it.
Shortly after this, McBrams came with another cross to find Babatunde, but he failed to capitalise.
Seconds later, MAFCO’s China Chirwa had his shot fired wide when he was left unmarked as Bullets’ defence was caught slacking.
At the end of the match, Kajoke was awarded as the man of the match.
Bullets Assistant Coach, Gilbert Chirwa, said the victory was exceptional as they did not concede.
“We told the boys to be serious and this is exactly what we have been telling them in training and they played according to our plan,” Chirwa said.
Coach for MAFCO, Stereo Gondwe, said his side missed a lot of chances and lost the game in the first half.
Elsewhere, Silver Strikers triumphed 2-1 over Creck Sporting Club.
