It is the Blantyre derby, and the big one at that.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers are familiar foes in domestic football and, this afternoon, they open the first instalment of their 2024 Blantyre derbies in the TNM Super League at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
This is the 74th Blantyre derby since the league was introduced in 1986-pitting two rivals at opposite ends of town.
A hullabaloo over referees threatened to derail preparations for this crunch tie, but all that has been put to rest after Super League of Malawi maintained that Mayamiko Kanjere will be in charge despite protests from Bullets.
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Now that the shadow boxing and verbal tirades have passed off without any major incidents, the hour has come for the bragging rights to go either to the red or blue side of town.
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Bullets go into the match in high spirits after a clean sweep of last season’s silverware.
The story is different in their rival camp which endured another season of underachievement with nothing to show for it.
So much history lies between the two sides with their rivalry dating back to the early 1960s.
Of course there is no guarantee that this afternoon’s match will be full of class as expected of a derby between arch-rivals.
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However, football lovers can be rest assured that there will be lots of tempers and emotions as the two lock horns in a match worth much more than just the three points at stake for the winner.
The two bitter rivals share some similarities in that they have so far won and drawn twice each.
This means they are tied on eight points each from four matches with goal difference being the factor that separates them on the log table where Wanderers are third while Bullets lie fourth.
The two giants trail leaders Silver Strikers by two points in the early stages of the title race.
After years of mediocrity and comical displays adding up to a decade, the derby between the two is slowly regaining its rhythm despite previous encounters ending in stalemates.
Last season, Bullets and Wanderers shared spoils after 0-0 and 1-1 stalemates in the first and second round, respectively.
A look back at results between the two sides from 2012 reveals that Bullets have registered seven wins against Wanderers’ two.
The Nomads’ last win over Bullets in a league match was in 2021.
At that time, Wanderers beat Bullets 1-0 to end their rivals’ eight-year unbeaten home record.
Bullets are coming from a hard fought 2-1 victory over rookies Baka City at the same venue whereas Wanderers fired blanks following a goal-less stalemate against Bangwe All Stars at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre.
Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa said they need to be careful in their approach to the match.
’’Derbies are very tricky because everyone wants to win. Even our supporters will come to the match in large numbers hoping to see their team carrying the day. So it’s all about winning. We just need to be very careful to avoid being punished,’’ Pasuwa said.
In this tie, Bullets will be without Maxwell Phodo and Chikumbutso Salima due to injuries.
Wanderers’ assistant coach Meck Mwase said they are not intimidated.
’’We have done our homework and we are ready for the battle. We are fully aware of what a win against Bullets will mean to our chances of winning the leaguer title. So we will do everything possible to get maximum points,’’ Mwase said.
It is yet to be seen if Wanderers will feature Cameroonian striker Sama Tanjong who they signed on a two-year deal in the course of the week.
Nomads coach Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan has also received a huge boost following the return of captain Lawrence Chaziya and Blessings Singini.
In other matches scheduled for this afternoon, leaders Silver face Baka City at Karonga Ground while Mzuzu City Hammers and Moyale will cross swords in a Mzuzu derby at Mzuzu Stadium.
