Scrappy draws
The international football bonanza taking place at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre has exposed Malawi teams’ rustiness as giants FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have failed to score in 180 minutes.
The two sides faced off yesterday in a Blantyre derby and played out a goalless draw.
The draw came after Wanderers lost 2-0 to Mozambique champions União Desportiva do Songo while Bullets were held 0-0 by Ferroviarro de Nampula on match day one.
Yesterday, the much anticipated Blantyre derby did not live to up to expectation as well.
Both sides threw in new signings who were expected to give a glimpse of what fans should expect in the 2023 season.
Wanderers starting XI had usual campaigners in goalkeeper William Thole, defenders Miracle Gabeya and Stanley Sanudi; midfielders Alfred Manyozo, Isaac Kaliati, Felix Zulu and Wisdom Mpinganjira as well as veteran Chiukepo Msowoya.
New signings were centre back Lawrence Chaziya, Mphatso Kamanga and Gaddie Chirwa while Christopher Kumwembe replaced Msowoya in the second-half.
Bullets had Richard Chimbamba in goals, defenders Kesten Simbi, Alick Lungu, Gomegzani Chirwa and Kenyan triallist Clyde Senaji.
In midfield, new signing Chawanangwa Gumbo had a chance to feel the Blantyre derby alongside Frank Willard, Ernest Petro and Patrick Mwaungulu while Lanjesi Nkhoma and Anthony Mfune partnered upfront.
But returnee Mike Mkwate and another triallist Kenyan striker Chinedu Okafor were introduced as substitutes in the second-half.
Except for just a handful occasions when the two teams created near chances, there was no spark to give fans what they had been yearning for in the pre-season.
But the two sides’ coaches in post-match interviews downplayed the team’s firing of blanks.
Wanderers coach Mark Harrison said the Nomads played better than in the 2-0 loss to UD Songo on Friday.
He said: “Probably one of the best pre-season games I have been involved in.
“It was like a cup final. We learned a lot today. The performance is more important than the result.”
The Nomads actually, had an upper hand, more especially in the first-half when they dominated the midfield.
Harrison said: “We showed today that we are a different team.”
His counterpart Kallisto Pasuwa, who had a much better performance in the second stanza, said he is using the pre-season tournament to try new combinations.
He said: “That’s pre-season for you. Remember, we dismantled the team and we are trying to build a new one so that when we start the season we are better.”
In a midday kick-off, Nampula and Songo played out a goalless draw as well.
This means Songo lead the table with four points, followed by Bullets with two points, Nampula on third with two points as well.
Wanderers are bottom with a point.
The action continues this afternoon as Wanderers face Nampula in an early kick off before Bullets and UD Songo wrap up the tournament.
Bullets introduced the international mini tournament four years ago and was last held in 2020.
The tournament attracted the hosts, Wanderers, Zimbabwe’s Chicken Inn and UD Songo.
Chicken Inn won the championship after beating Bullets, Wanderers and UD Songo to finish top of the table with nine points.
The tournament was not held in 2021 and 2022 due to Covid-19 pandemic.
