Malawi: Wanderers humble Bullets, claim Blantyre derby bragging rights

Mighty Wanderers humiliated their Malawi league rivals FCB Bullets Big Bullets with a 3-0 victory to move to within a point of the TNM Super League leaders with a game in hand on Sunday.

Winger Adam Walesi’s first-half strike and fellow substitute Blessings Singini’s second-half brace earned the Nomads the maximum points and Blantyre Derby bragging rights at Kamuzu Stadium.

Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira stuck to the starting XI that had defeated Blue Eagles 3-1 in a midweek game, with the only exception being midfielder Singini who was relegated to the bench.

In the other camp, Bullets coach Peter Mponda also tampered with his usual line-up as Nigerian-born striker Babatunde Adepoju started from the bench with Hassan Kajoke preferred upfront.

Walesi fired Wanderers ahead with a low volley from a tight angle after meeting Muhammad Sulumba’s right flank delivery in the 22nd minute. The youthful winger scored with his first touch of the ball after replacing injured Wisdom Mpinganjira.

The Nomads went to the break clinging to their slender lead when they should have easily been three goals up had Sulumba not missed three clear scoring opportunities. Sulumba failed to punish Bullets goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu, who had made a mess of a goal kick.

A few minutes later, the former Polokwane City man miscued an inviting ball in a manner that led to visible embarrassment. As Bullets retreated to the dressing room at the break, the game remained delicately poised with Wanderers hoping to build on their lead and Bullets seeking to respond and right the many wrongs.

How Wanderers punished Bullets in the second half

In the second half, Mponda pulled out striker Ephraim Kondowe for Adepoju and Henry Chiwaya.

Adepoju tried to make his presence felt when fired a shot from distance but it flew way off target. Bullets seemed to tick after the changes and Wanderers looked clueless on how to mount their attacks after the substitution of Sulumba for Singini.

Singini added the second goal for Wanderers, a long range bullet from the left flank giving Nyasulu no chance in the 76th minute.

The Nomads killed off the game as a contest when Singini reacted the fastest in the box to connect a poorly cleared corner-kick in the 82^nd minute.  Wanderers have now completed a rare double over Bullets after having defeated them in the first round.

The Nomads can go top of the 16-member league table if they win the game they have in hand. The rivals are set to meet again next weekend in a cup semifinal in a third installment of the Blantyre derby.

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