A cauldron of noise and colour awaits. The unprecedented tension, an aura of anticipation of each goal and tackle, the jubilation and despair, is reloaded.
It will be seen who will bask in the camaraderie of the authority and freedom of the city as Mighty wanderers will dread-lock with perennial archrivals FC Nyasa Big Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium.
The capital city will set alight its own stage, as Silver Strikers beckons daringly Civil Service United.
The Blantyre derby departs from a fascinating pace already, as both FCB Nyasa big Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers are yet to test defeat.
Leading the 16-Member gladiators, Nyasa Big Bullets has collected 18 points from six out of six, maintaining rarely a 100% win-rate. Second placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, having played four 5 games, winning four and drawing once, returns to the artificial turf with some descent statistics.
Given, the bragging rights, will not be tussled over a platter of roses. It will be a fierce battle of blood and sweat.
Over their last ten encounters, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets narrowly tip-toes their gazzeted rivals with two wins, single loss and seven draws.
The nomads won once, were beaten twice and drew seven times as well. The rivalry statistical gap is as close as two faces of a single coin, so is the prediction on who wins.
Coach Peter Mponda, on return, will preside over his first ever derby as Principal Superintendent at Bullets, and will try to appease the Bullets faithful with a victory.
He has quality within his ranks and files, he can dream in football colours of choice, undoubtedly. Bob Mpinganjira is no longer a novice at the helm of reigns at Lali Lubani, he recites the genre, the soul and rhythm of the Nomads verses spontaneously.
The appeal to deliver results dangles on his neck all the time, but the ultimatum to win a derby is unmatched.
Current reigning champions, Silver Strikers FC, will try to begin redeeming their rather sloppy start in defending title against the Servants. Uncharacteristically occupying 10th position from five games, with two wins and two draws, the ‘Bankers’ will need to wake-up from their slumber.
They left it late to snatch a point against the nomads last time out. Abbas Makawa’s Civo Service United have been unconvincing, despite playing some attractive attacking football, results have not been going their desired way.
A pitiful single win, and two draws from six strokes of trying to hammer results, is way below average from a team that has rich footballing history of their pedigree.
In the most last ten meetings between them, Silver strikers won three times, lost twice and drawn five times.
Without huge disparities, Civo Service United claimed two wins, three losses and five draws at the hands of their city rivals. Coach Peter Mgangira will most definitely unleash former servant Festus Duwe, with a military order; ‘Finish them off lad, you know their weaker side’.
On their fancy day, Civo Service United are unpredictable, and have the mantra to pull any surprise in front of any team in the elite league.
So, grab your scarf, don your team’s colors and get ready to experience the magic of one the most unpredictable local football sights.
