BB, Nomads fight for Carlsberg honours

Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers will evoke their rivalry this afternoon at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe in a Carlsberg Cup semi-final showdown, 11 years after they faced off in a richly exhilarating final of the same competition.

Back in 2003, the setting was Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre and the grand finale was abandoned in extra time after striker Muzipasi Mwangonde struck what could have been the winner for the Nomads when the two teams were tied 2-all, but the goal was disallowed leading to a heated dispute and, eventually with the dispute seemingly headed for a listless conclusion, the sponsor Carlsberg Malawi, pulled out.

Joseph Kamwendo, the then most promising young talent, was undoubtedly the matchmaker and turned on a vintage display rich in breathtaking dribbling skills and fancy footwork that was spiced up with two classic goals. He was also the architect of the controversial goal that brought Carlsberg’s romance with the beautiful game on the domestic scene to an abrupt end.

One incredible move had the entire stadium on its feet saluting the work of a genius. Running to the ball on the right, Kamwendo appeared to have a little chance of winning the duel, after all he was on his wrong foot. But the improvisation that followed was simply magic.

The right leg was lifted, in that one movement, as if to suggest he wanted to roll the ball back to his territory. His marker followed the move and was deceived as the right foot did not touch the ball and, in an instant, the magician had changed direction into attack and then in a blur of action, curled the ball into the goal area and on pounced Mwangonde to provide the final flourish.

And as the blue side of town cheered the goal, one of the assistant referees had his flag up and after consultations with the referee Kalyoto Ngosi, the goal was disallowed on the basis that Kamwendo’s curler went into touch before going back into the field of play, pandemonium followed and that was the end of Carlsberg Cup only to resurface two years ago.

Bullets’ midfield workhorse James Chilapondwa scored both goals and is one of the two remaining players for Bullets who featured on that day. The other one is none other than Fischer Kondowe.

“It was a thrilling encounter, probably one of the best between the two teams in recent years and by reminding me that it was the last time we played against Wanderers in Carlsberg Cup, gives me extra motivation going intoSaturday’s game,” said Chilapondwa.

He further said considering the team’s run so far this season, they are favourites to win the game.

“We beat them in Super League 2-0 recently and again in a pre-season bonanza (3-0), so that should give us an edge going into this match. This will not be a final match, but obviously an encounter between the two teams at such stage creates a lot of excitement and this one will not be exceptional,” said Chilapondwa.

Kamwendo also says the match will go down as one of the best ever in history between the two sides.

“There was a home theatre system at stake for man-of-the-match and by all means I would have got it, but it was never to be. I have always been a Nomad inside out and I hope the guys will rise to the occasion on Saturdayand prove that we were robbed of that win,” said Kamwendo. Wanderers right-back Bongani Kaipa predicted a tough encounter.

“They beat us in a league match because we were going through a bad patch, but we have turned the corner and based on the fruitful outing to Dwangwa last weekend, we seem to be on the right track.

“The other plus is that we have always had an edge against Bullets in cup games, but it doesn’t always go according to script,” he said.

Nomads mentor Gerald Phiri, who was Bullets coach last season, said this will be a different game altogether.

“We played Bullets in a league match when we were struggling in terms of form, but the team has undergone reinforcement that has seen us instil discipline and confidence into the players and we are bearing the fruits, our recent successful foray to Dwangwa where we bagged full points, was a confirmation to that,” said Phiri.

The winner in this afternoon’s contest will face winners between defending champions Kamuzu Barracks and Zomba United who meet tomorrow at Kamuzu Stadium.

Wanderers won the Carlsberg Cup in 2001 when they beat Bullets in the final courtesy of a golden goal, but the People’s Team avenged that defeat a year later through McDonald Yobe’s lone strike. This was just after Yobe had ‘crossed the floor’ from the blue side of town. He is now back at Lali Lubani Road as a member of the technical panel.