When Blantyre derby is played in Lilongwe

There should be no qualms about the status of a Lilongwe derby this Sunday when Silver Strikers host Civo in the Standard Bank Knockout semi-final.

But would Saturday’s semi-final tussle between Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers at Silver Stadium fit the strictest meaning of a derby?

A derby will always be mentioned in the same breath with place where teams involved come from and are playing.

From North London derby (Arsenal vs Tottenham Hot Spur), Cairo derby (Al Ahly vs Zamalek) to Soweto derby (Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates).

Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary, new seventh edition, defines a derby as “a sports competition between teams from the same area or town.”

But veteran sports journalist Gracian Tukula says Saturday’s semi-final is still worth being called ‘Blantyre derby’, citing Brazil clash with Argentina at Italia 1990 World Cup was still dubbed South American derby.

Silver chairperson Dr McDonald Mafuta-Mwale has Sunday’s match to keep him busy in the football boardroom, but still delved into this Blantyre debate when asked on Tuesday.

“This is a matter for the organisers. We are not concerned, but I think this would still be a Blantyre derby. It is the rivalry that would still make this a derby,” Mafuta-Mwale argued.

Reacting to Bullets’ mind-games on Tuesday, Wanderers general secretary David Kanyenda shared the derby opinion: “We are rather surprised that Bullets, who are hot favourites in this derby, are reluctant to play the game as soon as possible, citing fatigue.”

The trophy’s main desk manager Casper Jangale delivered the final verdict on the debate, saying “Yes, it is [a derby] but being played in Lilongwe. What has only changed is the venue.”