Blantyre Derby ends in stalemate
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Nyasa Big Bullets shared the spoils after a 3-all stalemate in tnm Super League at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Nyasa Big Bullets saw their two-goal advantage slipping off their hands as Mighty Wanderers came from behind two times to salvage a point over their fierce neighbours in a much entertaining game.
A Blantyre Derby that people have been brooding for a while was witnessed at the soccer meca and Lanjesi Nkhoma, Patrick Mwaungulu and Chimwemwe Idana were on the scoresheet for the People’s team while Stanley Sanudi, Adeleke Kalowole and Muhammad Sulumba were on target for the Nomads.
Nyasa Big Bullets have conceded seven goals in their last two games, something that Bullets’ panel has to work on before playing Simba SC in the Caf Champions League.
Fresh from a convincing 3-0 victory over Dedza Dynamos, Head Coach for Mighty Wanderers made only change from the team that displayed stellar performance in their previous game as former Nyasa Big Bullets striker, Chiukepo Msowoya over Muhammad Sulumba upfront.
On the other hand, the visitors, made three changes from the team that played against Moyale Barracks in the FDH Bank Cup as Clever Mkungula, Kesten Simbi, Willard Frank and Ernest Petro were given the chances to start over Rabson Chiyenda, John Lanjesi, Henry Kabitchi and Yankho Singo.
Nyasa Big Bullets started the game with their guns blazing as they were dominating the game.
Patrick Mwaungulu from the right flank was an electric shock as Ted Suman had a tough time to stop him. His ability to run to the by-line enabled him to get better of Wanderers’ left back.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers settled in the game after 15 minutes as Alfred Manyozo, Yamikani Chester, Isaac Kaliati and Felix Zulu walked up from their slumber and started battling for the balls in the midfield.
Yamikani Chester swang a shot from distance but Nyasa Big Bullets goalkeeper on duty was equal to the task.
Patrick Mwaungulu called Piliran Mapira into action in the second minute as he got better of Sumani on the right flank. He spotted the goalkeeper off his line and whipped in a beautiful ball but Mapira had an outstanding save to deny the Youngster from registering his name on the target.
After knocking for a several times, Lanjesi Nkhoma finally put the People’s team in front in the 26th minute. Alfred Manyozo Jr who has won his place back in the starting Xi tried to clear the ball from the defensive zone. It was won by Ernest Petro on the edge of the box before laying off Lanjesi Nkhoma who was on his company on his left. The number 19 scored a beauty beating Pilirani Mapira to send Bullets fans who painted the stadium red into celebrations.
After glimpse of brilliance in the first minutes, Mwaungulu thickened Bullets’ lead in the half-hour mark. The young man beat Tedi Sumani on right flank before released a heavy shot from the 6-yard to put them two up.
Stanley Sanudi pulled one back from the spot to bring back the Nomads into the game. Miracle Gabeya had a long ball into Bullets’ half spotting Nyangulu who finally won a penalty after a reckless foul from Clever Mkungula.
Straight from the dressing room, Bullets started the game as they did in the first half, dominating the game.
Chimwemwe Idana extended Bullets’ lead in the 49th minute. This was a beauty from the vice captain. He had three players to beat before creating himself a chance to fire home to put Bullets 3-1 up.
Alex Ngwira tried to bring the game back as he made three changes. Francisco Mkonda, Misheck Botomani and Josephy Balakasi have replaced Alfred Manyozo Jnr, Ted Sumani and Isaac Kaliati.
The permutations that Ngwira made igniting their game and they had Vincent Nyangulu’s goal-bound blocked by Bullets defenders in the 60th minute.
Ngwira wrapped up his options at the bench as Vitumbiko Kumwenda and Muhammad Sulumba replaced Vincent Nyangulu and Chiukepo Msowoya.
In his quest to add fire power upfront, Kalisto Pasuwa made double changes as the scorers, Lanjesi Nkhoma and Patrick Mwaungulu paved way for Hassan Kajoke and McFarren Mgwira.
Sports analyst Charles Nyirenda had been saying that Mighty Wanderers were lacking attack from their flanks.
The changes that Mighty Wanderers made paid off they started trimming Bullets into their own half making them to concede several corners.
Vitumbiko Kumwenda’s deadly corner was headed home by Nigerian defender, Adeleke Kalowole in the 74th minute to reduce the arrears a goal that put Bullets at state of surviving at the stick of their teeth.
Wanderers were igniting fire through Kumwenda, Chester. Wing attacks were their priority.
Yamikani Chester missed a big chance as he was spotted by Kumwenda who swang it from the right flank. Mighty Wanderers fans needed him to node it home.
Kalisto Pasuwa in his quest to stabilise the midfield, he brought the veteran midfielder, Henry Kabichi with 10 minutes to go as he replaced Ernest Petro. Yamikani Fodya was also given the time to play as he replaced Willard Frank.
Muhammad Sulumba levelled the scores in the 87th minute after capitalising Bullets’ defender’s mistakes. There was a corner that was taken by Kumwenda but Bullets’ defence failed to clear the ball.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Technical Director was happy with the performance of his charges.
“We struggled in the first half but we came back into the game in the second half. We were second on the ball in the first half but after the changes, we saw improvement. We told the boys not to lose concentration and they sticked to our instructions, ” said Ng’onamo.
Assistant Coach for Bullets, Peter Mponda said his defence was porous.
“We had gaps in the defence. We have dropped two goals bit it was a good game. We lost concentration during set pieces but on open play, they were failing to unlock our defence. We were still attacking but it’s football, it happens. We have to accept the results and we have earned a point and we have to keep it. We play offensive football, but we had gaps at the back,” said Peter Mponda.
He added that the last two games that they have played have gave them an assignment.
In the first round, Bullets beat Wanderers by two goals to one and they have amassed four points against their neighbours.
Nyasa Big Bullets remain on the top with 49 points, 10 above second placed Blue Eagles and 16 points above Wanderers.
On the other hand, Nomads occupy the fourth place with 33 points from 18 games.
Elsewhere, Kamuzu Barracks returned to the winning ways after beating Karonga United by a goal to nill at Civo Stadium.
Mafco FC continue their fine form as they Hammered Rumphi United by three goals to one.