Mighty Wanderers used a Bullet-proof to stop the Nyasa bullets’ metal pistol from going into it’s arteries yesterday, to end a four-year derby Victory drought.
The Nomads, who last won against Bullets in 2021 in the country’s elite League, staged a grand performance throughout the match that was handled by Mzuzu-based rwferee, David Chinoko.
Just one goal, was enough to paint the Blantyre based Kamuzu stadium and the entire city blue.
Mighty wanderes had commenced the run, with a pressing mechanism and an intent to score an early goal.
Bob Mpinganjira’s Wanderers instantly ate up Bullets’ ‘midfield – reliance’ tactic and rendered their attacking centers Mike Mkwate and Wongani Lungu toothless.
The biteless midefilders were easily overpowered and the Nomads stood a chance of being first on the ball and winning all second balls, leaving the people’s team charges wandered and wandering within the centre cycle.
In the first five minutes, “Nyerere” of Lali Luban won the midfield battle, perhaps this was a force that tied the people’s team legs and made them loose balls cheaply.
How Did Bullets Lose It
With their legs tied, and communication broken down, Bullets’ Captain Lloyd Aaron, Clyde Senaji, Yankho Singa and Wongani Lungu developed poor passes and back passes from Mike Mkwate that made them retreat and choke.
Then Lali Luban boys winkled a loop and pressed hard in the 8th and 10th minutes, respectively.
It was not surprising however, to notice wanderers scoring in the 12th minute to get an early lead – it was enough to hand them their first Derby win after 13 games.
The Nomads goal
During the 10th – minute, the blues were into an attacking spree as they haunted for the an early goal. Their attacker,, Fransisco Madinga walked past Singo and Aaron but the move was smartly challenged, a development that called for a corner kick.
Standing meters away from the 18 yard box, Madinga’s intentions were not to score. But to skip it inside the box and let one of the men in blue jerseys make a contact. As per his thoughts, Madinga spooned it inside where the ball landed at the right corner of the 16 yard box and Blessings Mwalilino connected it into the net.
The goal confused Bullets’ attackers and defenders who kept on Lossing the ball mercissilesy. As of the first half, Senaji had lost the ball four times , Mpokera two , Aroon three and Singo two, a development that forced Mponda to make an early substitution taking out Senaji who featured on the left centre-back, for Frank Willard.
The slotting in of Willard meant that Singo drop to play as a third centre-back together with Mpokera and Blessings Joseph as Willard paired Aoaron at the centre, but still Bullets could not tick.
Second half
Bullets might have started the second half with a renewed pledge to their boss Peter Mponda, but still it was no where near the level at which Nomads’ Blessings Singini and Felix Zulu were piling.
Mponda was not convinced. He made two more changes, taking out Aaron and Mkwate for Chawanangwa Gumbo and Henry Chiwaya.
Possessed by the Derby spirit, the two were so fast on the ball such that when Bullets had held control of the ball, they would snatch it back immediately.
The people’s team strikers Maxwel Phodo and Babatunde Adepoju were tightly marked and they lacked chances to stamp their lethality.
The Lali Luban boys could have also disappointed their supporters with the chances they had lost. Attackers, Madinga, Gaddie Chirwa and Wisdom Mpinganjira had several chances but could either lack a contact or strike it over the bar.
Bullets’ defenders, Mpokera, Singo and Blessing Joseph were left with only one choice, out of context but to send it in the Nomads half unnecessarily.
Nomads shifted the game plan when they brought in Masiya Manda , a defender and striker Clement Nyondo for Chirwa and Promise.
A few chances were there for Bullets’ forcing Cholopi and Mtete into saves.
The match which saw an additional five minutes after the prescribed 90 minutes ended as it was decided in the 12th minute, Mighty Wanderers 1 – 0 Nyasa Big Bullets.
In a post match interview Nomads coach Bob Mpinganjira said he was excited with the win.
“I am very happy that we have won today but I should salute our boys for applying what we agreed,” he said.
In a separate Interview Mponda admitted that wanderers players were more into an attacking spirit that his charges were.
” We admit we lost. Today, we weren’t on the pitch, especially in the first half,” said Mponda.
Before the game began players had paid tribute to the fallen Nomads and flames legend Yasin Tich Osman who passed on in April this year.
The Nomads have since dedicated the win to Osman.
