At just 17 years old, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women’s attacker Iouria Yiannakis, a Malawian of Greek origin, continues to prove why she’s one of the country’s brightest young talents.

On Sunday afternoon, the teenager came off the bench to score a stunning late free kick that handed her side a dramatic 1-0 victory over Mighty Wanderers Women in the Blantyre Derby at Mpira Stadium.

With the game seemingly destined for a draw after 90 tense minutes, Yiannakis stepped up in the 89th minute with full support from captain Zainab Kapanda, who handed her the ball. The youngster curled a sensational set-piece beyond goalkeeper Esther Chauluka, leaving the Wanderers Women rooted in disbelief and sending the Bullets bench into wild celebration.

The goal not only sealed the People’s Team’s first away win of the season but also reignited debate among fans and analysts about Yiannakis’s possible inclusion in the Malawi Women’s National Team, the Scorchers, who are set to face Angola in the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers, or the Under-20 side competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Yiannakis has yet to be called up by Maggie Chombo-Sadick, the very same coach who manages her at club level and also serves as head coach of the Malawi Under-20 women’s national team.

Analyst Twaha Chimuka described the situation as puzzling. “She’s got talent, confidence and maturity beyond her years. If a 17-year-old can change a derby with one kick of the ball, imagine what she could bring to the Scorchers or the Under-20 side.”

Chombo-Sadick, speaking after the match, praised her team’s fighting spirit.

“It was a tough one because it was a derby and our opponents have been performing well. But we stayed focused, and I am proud of the girls for delivering this massive win,” she said.

Meanwhile, the defeat left Mighty Wanderers Women still searching for their first home point of the season. Goalkeeper trainer Davie Pashani remained optimistic despite the heartbreak.

“The overall performance was good, but one lapse cost us. Still, the future is bright, this young team is learning fast,” he said.

With the win, Bullets Women climbed to third place in the standings with 13 points from seven games, while Wanderers Women sit fifth with 12 points.

If Yiannakis’s recent form is anything to go by, Malawi may soon have no choice but to unleash their teenage star on the international stage.

She is eligible to represent both Malawi, through citizenship by birth and Greece, through parentage.

A player can be eligible to play for a national team with roots in another country primarily through citizenship by birth, parentage, or naturalization or by having a grandparent born in the country.