Bullets hold Nomads in Blantyre derby
The TNM Super League Blantyre derby yesterday failed to decide who owns bragging rights in the city as FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers once again settled for a one-all draw at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
A mammoth crowd turned up for the most anticipated domestic derby to witness the battle of supremacy between the country’s football powerhouses.
One thing for sure is that they walked out of the stadium talking about Wanderers captain Stanley Sanudi’s goal from 35 metres out while Bullets’ equaliser from Maxwell Gastin Phodo would come as an addendum.
For Bullets, the result was not bad as they still cling to the top position on goal-difference as the two sides tie at 54 points apiece, but they have three games in hand.
But for the Nomads, who have two games before they wrap up the season, it is a big set-back.
They gave their all to collect maximum points, only to be let down by a lapse in concentration.
Either side had a chance to take the lead inside half hour of the match, but failed to utilise them.
Bullets got the first chance through Phodo who picked a nice pass from Frank Willard in the box, but mobbed by Wanderers defenders, he could not turn and opted for a backheel which was cleared.
Wanderers’ notable chance was from a Stanley Sanudi corner kick which picked unmarked Lawrence Chaziya only for the towering centre back to head wide.
The Nomads, however, broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when Sanudi’s 35-metre drive to the top right corner of the net proved too much for Bullets goalkeeper Rabson Chiyenda.
Wanderers should have been two-up by half time, but Christopher Kumwembe wasted a golden opportunity heading wide a searching cross from Sanudi.
Bullets were also denied an equaliser in added on time, as Nomads goalkeeper William Thole made a brilliant save to stop Phodo’s close range shot for the first-half to end in favour of the Nomads.
Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa made two changes at half-time. He introduced Precious Sambani and Hassan Kajoke to replace Anthony Mfune and Eric Kawonga who were overwhelmed by Wanderers for a good part of the first-half.
It did not take time before Bullets substitutions paid dividends.
A quickly-taken free kick released Patrick Mwaungulu, whose pass enabled Kajoke to open fire, but Thole saved his shot, only for Phodo to tap in the rebound with his knee.
Pasuwa in a post-match interview admitted they had survived by skin of their teeth.
He said: “But that’s how football is all about.”
His counterpart Mark Harrison said although they would have loved to collect full points, he was satisfied with the team’s performance.
“It was a very good game. It was an end to end game. Both sides did well,” he said.
