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Was Fomboni win worth the celebration?

Big Bullets returned from their sojourn in the Comoros to a hero’s welcome after beating Fomboni Football Club 1-0.

Their revelry — from the point they entered Malawi by road up North to the time a 30-vehicle convoy that welcomed them in Lilongwe and the 15-vehicle convoy with full police escort that led them into a triumphant entry into their Blantyre base — had trappings of a team that had just won the Africa Cup of Nations.

Did Fomboni really pose a serious challenge to Big Bullets, a team that has humbled some of Africa greats, including, if my memory serves me right, Orlando Pirates of South Africa, Zanaco of Zambia and SC Villa of Uganda at one time to reach the group stages of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Club Champions League?

Is it me or the club’s standards that have plummeted so fast that a win against little-known Fomboni excites every fan as if Bullets have all of a sudden been elevated to world beaters? Oh! Maybe another case of how the mighty (not Mighty Wanderers) have fallen!!

Perhaps, it is a sign that fans have been starved of real challenges at the continental stage such that they felt compelled to celebrate anything — like a hunter who has not killed game for ages would celebrate capturing some grasshopper in the same manner they would if they caught a rabbit.

I did not in the least expect Mapalestina to capitulate in the Comoros regardless of the unpleasant circumstances that preceded their travel to the island. In case these guys have forgotten, they are not some team plying their trade in Chipuku League. They are the People’s Team for goodness’ sake.

In England and the world over, football fans are already salivating for the FA Cup game that has once again pitted the Gunners and Man United at Old Trafford. You would not have asked for a better tie.

Whoever will win that game is going to be a strong favourite to lift the cup. Are Arsenal going to retain the trophy or are United finally going to lay their hands on the trophy that has eluded them for ages? Arsene Wenger says he will do everything in his power to frustrate United. But remember that the Gunners have not beaten United since 2011.

For United, the FA Cup represents a realistic chance to win a trophy after seeing their Premier League prospects being reduced by injuries to most of their key players early in the season. Has not Chelsea run away with the league, after all? Let us wait and see how this marathon will pan out.

For the time being, let us take each game as it comes. Today, Swansea entertain Man United. It will be interesting to see whether United will improve on their away form, having been awful in most of their travel this season. You do not expect Arsenal to fall away at Crystal Palace or Burnley to beat Chelsea at home, yet I know rival supporters would be praying for an upset.

The games of the week, however, should be the one between Man City and Newcastle, today and the Southampton vs Liverpool, tomorrow. For obvious reasons, I will be rooting for Newcastle and Soton. May the best team win!

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