BB, Nomads battle in Lilongwe

Football is about rivalry. The bigger the rivalry, the more exciting it becomes.

The Blantyre derby that features Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers remains the biggest contest and this afternoon’s K20 million (about $68 000) Standard Bank Knockout Trophy semi-final promises fireworks.

The territory might be unfamiliar, but the 15 000-seater Silver Stadium is expected to be filled to capacity.

The dish that is served today cannot be compared to the super meal that the fans used to get in the clubs’ heydays. In the 1970s, 80s and 90s, the likes of Kinnah ‘Electric’ Phiri, Lawrence ‘Lule’ Waya, Chance ‘Vinny’ Gondwe and Mabvuto Lungu for Bullets and Jack ‘Africa’ Chamangwana, Barnett ‘Dynamite’ Gondwe, Kennedy ‘Senator’ Malunga and Albert ‘Kika’ Mpinganjira for Nomads, used to turn on the magic.

In those days, you watched the Blantyre derby to see football at its best—end to end stuff and great goals. Life was good and you had 22 great names on either side of the field and the fans got as much from disciplined defensive performances as from attacking shows.

But refreshingly, the remarkable resilience shown by both teams in recent times has been a throwback to their golden era when they, powered by an indomitable spirit, were the kings of domestic football.

The name that keeps rolling off the tongues of Bullets faithful so sweetly is that of wonderkid Gabadinho Mhango, but he has hardly made an impact when playing the Nomads.

Instead, it is international midfielder Chimango Kaira who has shone so brightly aided by the combative promptings of workhorse James Chilapondwa and skipper Fischer ‘Anong’a’ Kondowe.

Heston Munthali keeps on getting better with age like old-vintage wine. He has scored vital goals for Bullets and, has in recent times turned into their predator-in-chief. He should be on song again this afternoon whereas Diverson Mlozi is their other potential match winner.

Revitalised midfield maestro Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo has been the centrepiece of the Nomads’ recent resurgence, often appearing to lift his team-mates by sheer force of will.

It could be just the sight of him in full cry—sprinting towards goal at full pace with the ball firmly under control and the opponents a mere barrier without any substance, or it might be that close control, that cheeky body swerve that sends opponents running into the opposite direction.

But he has not been the only outstanding figure in the blue side of town. Victor Mpinganjira, has given the master-class in the forwards’ art whereas Gerald ‘Papa’ Phiri Jnr has touched sublime heights with Nafe Msasa controlling the engine room.

Both teams predicted a tough encounter saying it will also play a big role in determining the contest for the ultimate Carlsberg Malawi sponsorship.

Bullets coach Eddingtone Ng’onamo said: “This is wafa-wafa! We are prepared for the clash. We draw a lot of inspiration from the fact that we beat them 1-0 in the Carlsberg Shield match and we will continue from where we stopped.”

The Bullets held prayers at their clubhouse before starting off for the capital on Friday.

Kamwendo said the Nomads are looking forward to the match with a degree of confidence.

“The spirits are high and we are determined to do well tomorrow,” he said.