It was Sunday afternoon, 5th October 2025 as FCB Nyasa Big Bullets hosted Silver Strikers in what many had dubbed a “title-shaping clash.”

For Bullets, the mission was clear, extend their lead at the top of the TNM Super League table. For Silver, it was a chance to close the gap and make a statement that the race was far from over. Seven points separated them before kick-off.

But as the whistle blew to start the match, it became clear that this was going to be one of those tactical battles, patient, cautious, maybe too cautious. The first half came and went with little to write home about. Both goalkeepers, Innocent Nyasulu for Bullets and George Chikooka for Silver, barely broke a sweat. The fans grew restless, the fireworks they had expected were nowhere to be seen.

The Turning Point

Then came the second half, and with it, a different story altogether. Football, as they say, can change in a heartbeat.

Silver Strikers drew first blood. The new kid in town, Andrew Joseph, known officially as Andulu Yosefe, diverted a shot from outside the penalty area past Nyasulu into the net. The Central Bankers were ahead and Bullets suddenly found themselves chasing the game.

From the dugout, coach Peter Mponda gestured frantically. He wasn’t going to let this one slip away easily. Moments later, Hassan Kajoke and Ephraim Kondowe were thrown into the fray, replacing Wongani Lungu and Babatunde Adepoju.
And just like that, the tide turned.

The two substitutes combined brilliantly, moving the ball quickly and confidently. Mike Mkwate then picked out Kondowe with a perfectly weighted pass and the midfielder made no mistake, slotting home with his left foot to level the scores.

Before the Silver fans could catch their breath, disaster struck again. Chikumbutso Salima was brought down inside the box by Chikooka, and referee Mwayi Nsungama pointed straight to the spot. Kajoke stepped up, cool as ever, and buried it. 2-1 to Bullets. Kamuzu Stadium roared back to life.

The Controversial Moment

But football is nothing without a bit of drama, and this one had plenty.
With some minutes to go, Silver launched an attack. A cross, a flick, a scramble, and then Charles Chipala poked the ball goalwards. To the naked eye, it looked like it had crossed the line. But before the cheers could spread, the ball was cleared by a desperate Bullets defender.

Referee Nsungama looked to his assistant, Hastings Kanjati, who didn’t raise his flag. No goal. Play on.

The decision left Silver players protesting, the bench shouting, the fans stunned. Did it cross the line or not? Only the referee and his assistant had the answer.

After the match, replays began circulating, blurry, shaky, inconclusive. Depending on who you asked, it was either a clear goal or a perfectly valid call.

And just like that, the debate began.

Beyond the Match

This wasn’t just about one decision, it was about the bigger picture.

Without Goal Line Technology (GLT) or Video Assistant Referee (VAR), such moments in Malawian football are left entirely to human judgment. And as history has shown, that can be costly.

Sports analyst Christopher Njeula believes it’s time to move forward.

“ Football survives on the key principle of fairness, without it, it's mantra and euphoria is diluted on arrival, any form of technology that assists in making football a fair game, surely must be introduced, as early as yesterday. Circumstances where teams benefit from human errors, should not be nearer the beautiful game”

He adds that while resources remain a major challenge, the conversation must begin somewhere.

“Football has never been cheap, it's a lucrative trade that generates alot of money, so investments in such adventure, will never come cheaply. It is high time, authorities within our game, start looking at technology as inseparable different faces of the same coin.”

The call for technology isn’t new. When Fleetwood Haiya took over at the Super League of Malawi (SULOM) and later became president of the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), he made a bold promise, to bring VAR to Malawi. Years later, that promise still hangs in the air, waiting for the right moment to take shape.

Perhaps, Sunday’s drama was that moment.

A Lesson for the Future

The TNM Super League isn’t just another football competition; it’s the heartbeat of Malawian football. Every match carries emotion, pride, and passion that stretches beyond the pitch. But with passion comes controversy, and without technology, the line between fair and unfair remains blurred.

As things stand, it’s over to the decision-makers SULOM president Gilbert Mitawa, TNM Plc, FAM, Ministry of Sports and relevant stakeholders, to determine whether Malawi is ready to embrace the future.

Because on that Sunday afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium, one question still echoes in every fan’s mind:
Did the ball cross the line — or not?