The derby that rocked
As I was passing by Be Forward Wanderers flamboyant fan Yona Malunga’s house on Sunday morning, I found tree branches that had been strategically put adjacent to his home implying that there was a funeral.
But upon enquiring from him, I gathered that this was no funeral and that it was actually Big Bullets fans who were having the last laugh following their team’s 2-1 win over the Nomads. Yona claimed that the overzealous Bullets fans were acting like real ‘mourners’ and he overheard one of them saying: “Zovutazi ndizonyamula.”
In his own confession, Yona said as all this drama was unfolding, he had hidden in the house because he could not just gather the courage to face his rival counterparts after his bold declaration that come what may, the Nomads would carry the day. He even challenged that he was ready to bet K2 million (US$4 444) and put his house as collateral by surrendering title deeds to police.
But Yona is never short of mischief and when a Lilongwe-based Bullets fan went to sign an agreement for the bet, Yona hid under a bench in his Nyerere Takeaway stall and instructed his ‘DJ’ (house servant) that he was out of town and would only return on Monday.
But alas, Yona was not lucky the second time as another fan who had offered to bet against him caught him at his hideout as he munched chicken, surprising for someone who claims to be a Muslim as he was supposed to be fasting. Taken unawares, poor Yona could only say: “Musazitengere zimene zija mkulu wanga, inali molalo basi, si za serious.”
But all this was part of the hype isn’t it? And football is certainly short without characters such as Yona who add extra spice and make it such a beautiful game. Having said that, it felt so good to see such sights and sounds again—the vibes from the stands, the sound of the drumbeat, and of course, that carnival atmosphere as the Blantyre derby rolled back to life in spectacular fashion.
Once again, it was BB kumwa wamkaka with goals from Chiukepo Msowoya and Jaffalie Chande—so it was Msowoya and Chande—mind you, this was not a legal firm, but goals. And you could not blame the ‘Red Army’ for partying all night, could you? By the way soon after the match, I read a posting on social media which read: Ukumva bwanji neba?. Be Forward or Be Backward Wanderers? Uloliwe..Uloliwe wayidudula hii…Neng’asiza [The train is pushing].
