Mighty Mukuru Wanderers yesterday set up the Blantyre derby against their age-old rivals FCB Nyasa Bullets after booting out Cobbe Barracks 3-0 at Balaka Stadium in the FDH Bank Cup Round of 32.
In a match played in slightly scorching conditions, the Nomads showed no mercy against the Zomba-based Malawi Defence Force-sponsored lower league side and were in the comfort zone after 25 minutes as they led 3-0.
Wanderers took the lead in the 12th minute through Gaddie Chirwa.
Felix Zulu played a square ball from the left and Chirwa coolly controlled the ball before firing past a helpless Cobbe goal-minder Clement Mlomba.
Thirteen minutes later, midfielder Francisco Madinga doubled the lead with a goal of the archives from a set-piece. It was a fabulous curler just outside the six-yard box.
Chirwa, who was named man-of-the-match, then claimed his brace and the Nomads’ third goal when he went on a mazy run on the right flank before releasing a thunderous shot that gave Mlomba no chance.
Comfortable that they had done enough, Wanderers eased down a gear in the second half and made five changes as they held on to their lead.
It was the fourth straight win for Nomads interim coach Meck Mwase since taking over from Burundian Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan
Cobbe Barracks coach Reuben Kamanga attributed the loss to fear of the opposition.
“We were under pressure in the early stages which saw us concede goals in the early stages, but after half-time pep talk, we were an improved side, but unfortunately, we couldn’t score,” he said.
Nomads goalkeeper trainer Simplex Nthala said they were happy that their plan to score early worked to perfection.
He said: “We knew that even when you are up against a lower league side, cup games are always tricky. So, we had to score early.”
Commenting on the upcoming derby, Nthala said: “Derbies are always tough, but we will prepare for it just like any other match.”
The last time Wanderers faced Bullets in the same competition was in 2022 and the People’s Team won 4-0 in the semi-final at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
In other matches, Creck Sporting survived an early scare to beat fellow TNM Super League side Fomo FC 4-1 on post-match penalties. The two teams drew 2-2 in regulation time.
Mzuzu-based Lube Masters also progressed after beating Sporting 1-0 in the Mzuzu derby.
