Nomads clips Bullets in crunch Blantyre derby
Mighty Wanderers on Sunday beat their traditional rivals Big Bullets 2-1 in one of most important Blantyre city derbies in the TNM Super League.
Big Bullets squandered a chance to go on top of the league after giving away a 1-0 lead in the match played at Kamuzu Stadium.
The ‘People’s team’ were first to register in the score sheet through their vast experienced midfielder, Fundi Akidu after the Nomads defence and goalkeeper failed to clear a loose ball on the goal line.
Bullets breathed fire by putting the Nomads on the tight rope, especially through midfielder Chimango Kayira who was chief negotiator in the middle of the park.
Kayira co-ordinated well on the midfield with James ‘Terminator’ Chilapondwa and gave the Nomads a torrid time. The Nomads midfield was marshalled by Nafe Msasa and Alfred Manyozo.
Bullets could have scored the second goal in the 34th minute but Gabadin Mhango lacked composure in front of the Nomads goal.
At half time Bullets were leading 1-0 prompting their faithful to tease the blues with chants of “Noma yabooka! Yabooka!!
In the second half, the Nomads came with new ideas, new style and class as they displayed
beautiful football no wonder three minutes into the game, Alfred Manyozo scored the equalizer before Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo snatched the vital winning goal.
Kamwendo’s goal led to Nomads southern stand chanting, “Bullets yabooka! Bullets yabooka!”
However, Bullets nearly equalized after a well taken corner from Henry ‘Magetsi’ Kabichi but Gerald Phiri Junior cleared the goal from the goal line with Richard Chipuwa already beaten in goals.
As the Bullets dominated the first half, Nomads were superior in the second half and jealously guarded their lead.
Additional stoppage time was not enough for Bullets to rouse themselves for their trademark late rally in such derbies and Wanderers fans erupted in celebration at the final whistle.
Wanderers’ coach Franco Ndau told Nyasa Times: “I thank God for this victory. Let me also commend my boys for not giving up after trailing 1-0 in the first half.”
Bullets coach, Eding’ton Ng’onamo was bitter with the results.
“I am so bitter because l really wanted us to beat these boys. All in all we will rectify problems we had in our next game,” said Ng’onamo.
In other matches, Red Lions were also denied a chance to go on the summit table of the league, as they were held 1-1 to Epac FC in Balaka, while in Mzuzu, Moyale Barracks stunned Kamuzu Barracks 1-0.
Bvumbwe Research had a bumpy Sunday, as they lost to Civo United 2-1 in Lilongwe.
TNM Super League Results of July 1, 2012
-Mighty Wanderers 2 vs Big Bullets 1 @ Kamuzu Stadium.
-Red Lions 1 vs Epac Fc 1 @ Balaka.
-Civo United 2 vs Bvumbwe Research 1 @ Civo Stadium.
-Moyale Barracks 1 vs Kamuzu Barracks 0 @ Mzuzu Stadium.
