Nomads tame nyasa bullets
The much-anticipated Blantyre Derby lived up to its billing yesterday as fierce rivals Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers settled for a three-all draw at the jam-packed Kamuzu Stadium.
Not once, but twice did Wanderers come from behind to restore parity in a fiery battle that matched the hype ahead of the mouth-watering derby.
It was no surprise, therefore, that the Nomads were the happier between the two camps after referee Mayamiko Kanjere blew the final whistle.
Bullets scored through Patrick Mwaungulu, Lanjesi Nkhoma and their captain Chimwemwe Idana while Wanderers got theirs courtesy of Stanley Sanudi, Miracle Gabeya and Muhammad Sulumba.
“The late substitutions worked wonders for us because we injected the much-needed energy to break Bullets’ early advantage. We are happy with this result,” said Wanderers technical director Eddington Ng’onamo after the match.
Bullets assistant coach Peter Mponda said after leading by two goals twice, they expected to win.
“However, the game of football is very unpredictable. You always pay when you miss your scoring chances and leave a room for your opponents to attack. All the same, we accept the result,” he said.
The draw means Bullets are still unbeaten and at the summit of the 16-team log-table with 49 points from 19 games while Wanderers have dropped one step to fourth with 33 points from 18 fixtures.
The Nomads have been displaced from third place by Mafco, who now have 34 points from 19 games following yesterday’s 3-1 win over hosts Rumphi United. Blue Eagles are second on the ladder with 39 points after 18 matches.
As expected, the game at Kamuzu Stadium started with a fiery tempo that matched the grits of the famous derby, but Bullets were the first to launch realistic attacks.
Wanderers’ first best chance in the segment came in the 17th minute when Yamikani Chester lurched onto a loose ball and arrowed a long drive, but goalkeeper Clever Nkungula was equal to the task.
Bullets drew first blood in the 26th minute when Nkhoma connected home a pass from Ernest Petro, who was gifted the ball following a defensive blunder by the Nomads.
Five minutes later, Mwaungulu made it 2-0 to Bullets after a fantastic finish. He got the ball in the box, sold defender Ted Sumani a dummy and catapulted a thunderous strike into the bottom corner.
But just when Bullets thought they could go for a half-time break with a comfortable lead, the Nomads pulled one back from the spot-kick in the 36th minute through Sanudi. This came after Nkungula tripped down Yamikani Chester in the box.
Both sides had a cautious start in the second half and it took a solo effort by midfielder Idana in the 49th minute for Bullets to restore a two-goal lead..
Sensing danger, Wanderers’ newly-appointed coach Alex Ngwira made three substitutions in the 54th minute, resting Alfred Manyozo Jnr, Sumani and Isaac Kaliati for Francisco Mkonda, Misheck Botomani and Josephy Balakasi. A few minutes later, Muhammad Sulumba replaced fellow experienced striker Chiukepo Msowoya.
The changes rejuvenated the Lali Lubani Road outfit..
Their efforts started to pay off in the 74th minute when they reduced the margin to one through former Bullets defender Miracle Gabeya, who connected home Vitumbiko Kumwenda’s well-taken corner kick.
Substitute Sulumba made it 3-3 in the 87th minute.
Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa also made four changes in the segment to keep the game well-balanced but it was too little too late to avoid a stalemate. Mwaungulu, Nkhoma, Petro and Willard were taken out Hassan Kajoke, McFarlen Mgwira, Henry Kabichi and Yamikani Fodya.
In other games yesterday, Kamuzu Barracks beat Karonga United 1-0 at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe while Salima Sugar Dedza Dynamos thrashed hosts TN Stars 3-0 at Kasungu Stadium.
