It’s never short of appeal. The electrifying sights and roaring sounds, the euphoric and ecstatic scenes often characterise this showdown.
And it’s on today, the latest episode of the Blantyre derby, the most sought-after fixture on the domestic scene, featuring sworn-rivals Mighty Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Bullets in the TNM Super League at Kamuzu Stadium.
What makes today’s 77th league contest special is that both teams are unbeaten with the People’s Team boasting a 100 percent record after six straight wins which see them sitting pretty at the pinnacle of the 16-team log table with 18 points.
On the other hand, the Nomads trail their rivals on second position with 13 points, having won four and drawn once, but have a game in hand.
The other unbeaten side so far is Moyale Barracks FC who are fifth with 11 points from five matches.
In their past 10 league meetings, seven of them have ended in stalemates with Bullets having a slight upper hand with two wins while the Lali Lubani Road outfit has won once.
When they met last season, the first round ended one-all while Bullets won the second round 1-2. They also ousted their neighbour from the FDH Bank Cup by a similar margin.
On the other hand, the last time Wanderers emerged triumphant over their rivals was in a league encounter in 2021, four years ago to be precise, with a 1-0 victory via Vincent Nyangulu’s strike.
And for the better part of their battles, the Nomads have played bridesmaid role.
But in a pre-match interview, Bullets gaffer Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda brushed off suggestions that as per statistics, the odds appear to swing in their favour.
Sounding at peace with himself, he said: “Of course, we have had a slight dominance, but if you look at the past 10 games, it has been tight. Seven matches ending in draws, we have won two and Wanderers have won once. Even the goals, we have scored nine and they have eight.”
The former Silver Strikers coach also played down the hype.
“It is an ordinary game, it’s just the hype…The turn-out is always big, but [at the end of the day], it’s three points at stake,” he said.
Mponda also said he expects the Nomads to put up a good fight considering their performance this season.
“I reiterate that Wanderers have improved a lot from last season. But we are prepared and I am happy with what I am seeing at training. All the players are fit and ready,” he said.
His Nomads counterpart Bob Mpinganjira said their preparations are going on well.
He said: “The boys are determined and ready to give their all.
“We are aware that we are playing a very good side which is doing well. I have seen them play a couple of times this season and they are doing well.
“We expect a tough match, but if the boys play according to our game plan and with a strong will, I am confident of getting a positive result.”
The Nomads will still be without their injured Cameroonian forward Thiery Sama, who scored their consolation goals in last season’s second round derby.
Both teams were an oasis of calm as they worked on their final paces on Friday.
Meanwhile, Karonga Stadium will host a Karonga derby when table-anchors Songwe Border United, host Karonga United.
Rookies Songwe are still searching for their first win as they have a single point earned in their 1-1 draw against Mzuzu City Hammers.
On the other hand, Karonga are seventh with nine points from five matches.
