BB overwhelms Wanderers, Gaba grabs brace: Malawi Super League
In an exciting Blantyre derby, Big Bullets beat Mighty Wanderers 3-0 at the newly re-opened Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday in a TNM Super League contest.
Bullets are third on 39 points while Wanderers lie fifth on 35 points
With this win, Bullets strengthened their title push as they retained the third spot on the league table with 42 points.
Blantyre United remain at the summit of the log table after edging strong-willed Bvumbwe Research 2-1 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday.
United now have 45 points from 23 games—two points ahead of Silver Strikers who have a three game cushion having played 20 games.
Wanderers have since been displaced on fourth position with 38 points from 21 games. It’s now Zomba-based soldiers, Red Lions who went fourth with their win 2-0 against Azam Tigers’ through Kelvin Katema and Edwin Ng’oma goals.
Derby debacle
In the Blantyre derby, returnee Chimango Kaira opened the score sheets before hot-shot Gabadinho Mhango registered his brace to torment the ‘Nyerere’ fans and send Bullets faithful into frenzy as they chanted ‘siiife, koma Gaba’ all the way to Ndirande and surrounding townships in Blantyre after the match.
Kaira scored when Wanderers defender Stewart Gerald’s blunder benefited Diverson Mlozi whose well taken cross was too hot for goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa to tame and his clearance e found Kaira to finish it home
The Nomads, who missed the services of Gerald ‘Papa’ Phiri, lion-heartened Francis Mlimbika and Alfred Manyozo, tried to come back into the game but their midfield, which was manned by Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo and Gerald Chimbaka, failed to tick.
The presence of Kayira and James ‘Terminator’ Chilapondwa was a headache to Gerald Chimbaka and Kamwendo that they failed even to play their usual enterprising football.
The Nomads striking duo of Diverson Chilemba and Mapopa Msukwa could not find the password to unlock the People’s Team defence which was well marshaled by no nonsense George Nyirenda and Douglas ‘Section 65’ Chirambo on the left flank.
Post-match reactions
Bullets coach Eddington Ng’omnamo said he is happy to win an “action-packed ” derby.
“Today was special one because we have given our supporters a New Year’s present on the pitch not in the media,” said Ng’onamo in apparent reference to outspoken Wanderers Secretary General David Kanyenda who had predicted a 2-0 win against the rivals.
“It was a fantastic game, Absolutely. I think we played very well. Wanderers were determined to win the match but we were too superior for them, they should not respect us,” said the coach.
He said the victory against the blues is significant as it has boosted their title push.
Wanderers’ team manager Chiyembekezo Zidana said: “We are hugely disappointed.”
“Any loss is disappointing, especially a derby loss to rivals,” he said.
