Yet another BT derby draw
After so much hullaballoo preceding the Blantyre derby, rivals FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers yesterday settled for yet another draw at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The two sides went on the pitch tied at eight points and left tied at nine points with goals from midfielders Isaac Kaliati for Wanderers and Patrick Mwaungulu for Bullets.
However, the derby lived up to its billing as the country’s most sought for fixture with Wanderers dominating the first-half while the defending champions took over in the second stanza.
The Nomads coach Nsanzurwimo Ramahdan had no time for experiments as he unleashed his usual first XI, with experienced goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa in goals.
Captain Lawrence Chaziya returned after missing previous matches due to injury, to partner Ahamad Kung’unde in central defence while left back Timothy Silwimba and right back Stanley Sanudi played on the flanks.
Blessing Singini also returned from injury and partnered Felix Zulu in central midfield while Wisdom Mpinganjira and Kaliati switched roles on the wings.
Upfront Ramahdan opted for the combination of Gaddie Chirwa and Christopher Kumwembe in his 4-4-2 formation.
Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa, who has been changing his first XI in search of the right combination, had Innocent Nyasulu in goals with promoted leftback Crispin Mapemba starting alongside Gomezgani Chirwa, Zimbabwean Clyde Senaji and Precious Phiri as right back.
The People’s Team midfield had Lloyd Aaron, Yankho Singo and Ernest Petro while Patrick Mwaungulu and Lanjesi Nkhoma played wide with Ephraim Kondowe as a lone striker in a 4-3-3 formation.
It was a daring first XI for the the tactician, which saw Bullets lacking their rhythm, no wonder the Nomads capitalised on that.
It did not take long before the Lali Lubani outfit proved they wanted the derby bragging rights more than their opponents when Kaliati after exchanging passes with Chirwa, sent a thunderous shot which proved too hot for Nyasulu, who left his line to narrow the angle.
The Nomads continued bossing around the defending champions who looked out of sorts as Pasuwa cut out an animated figure on the touchline.
But Chirwa and Kumwembe were wasteful and failed to bury the game within the first-half.
At half-time, Pasuwa made a double substitution, introducing Ronald Chitiyo and Babatunde Adeboju for Aaron and Nkhoma.
The substitution immediately bore fruits as Bullets levelled in the 48th minute through Mwaungulu, after Adepoju had done the spade work,.
The midfielder’s sleek shot on the edge of the box slipped past outstretched Chipuwa.
It was now Ramahdan’s turn to be fired up on the touchline as Bullets kept pressing in search of a second goal.
Wanderers responded with two substitutions as Kaliati paved the way for Balikinho Mwakanyango while Francisco Madinga came in for Mpinganjira.
Bullets also brought in Anthony Mfune for Kondowe.
Bullets created more chances, but thanks to Wanderers excellent defending to twice deny Adepoju.
It ended in yet another draw since March 2022.
Pasuwa in a post-match interview said their first-half approach was tactical.
He said: “Remember, these are teams [under new coaches] this season.
“You need to see how they are playing, and then you counter them.”
Wanderers assistant coach Meck Mwase felt they should have done better in second-half.
Meanwhile, Moyale Barracks and Mzuzu City Hammers also drew one-all.
Silver Strikers took advantage of the stalemates and stretched their lead to 13 points after defeating Baka City 2-0 at Karonga Stadium.
An own goal from Chimwemwe Kalyala and striker Binwell Kaitnji’s second-half goal were enough for the Bankers to soar on the log table.
Yet coach Peter Mponda felt they could have done better.
He said: “In terms of performance, we didn’t play the way we do.”
