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Mighty Wanderers have managed to secure back-to-back derby victories in the 2025 TNM Super League, thanks to their Sunday 3-nil thrashing of their arch-rivals, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre. The result means FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are still on top with 49 points from 21 games and Wanderers, who still remain unbeaten, are second with 48 points from 20 games, with a game in hand. Coach for Wanderers, Bob Mpinganjira, congratulated his charges for managing such a feat. “I am very happy; I must commend my players for working very very hard. They have done us a good job,” Mpinganjira said. Mighty Wanderers started the game fiercely. Blessings Mwalilino clearly became a threat to Bullets defenders from the outset. For instance, in the 9th minute, he got his first chance to score through Rajab Nyirenda on the left wing, but his finishing just lacked accuracy and he was also caught offside. 15 minutes into the game, Mpinganjira tried to capitalise on Bullets goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu’s error when he tried to clear the ball from his box. In the process of defending the lapse, defender Khumbo Banda tangled with Mpinganjira in the box, but the referee pointed for a corner. Mpinganjira limped off the pitch as he got injured and was replaced by Adam Wallace. Three minutes later, Nyasulu committed another error, gifting Wanderers’ Muhammad Sulumba the ball who missed the target at the end of it. Wallace’s introduction proved to be effective as he gave his side a goal in the 22nd minute after another defensive mishap by Bullets defenders, who failed to clear Stanley Sanudi’s cross from the right which reached Sulumba for him to make an assist. FCB Nyasa Big Bullets nearly levelled the scoreline as Chikumbutso Salima scored after an exchange of passes with Ephraim Kondowe, only to be caught offside. Bullets’ gaffer, Peter Mponda, quickly resorted to his bench by taking off striker Hassan Kajoke and Paul Master for midfielders Mike Mkwate and Wongani Lungu. As the time was heading towards the half-time, Wanderers were in total control of the game and Bullets, on the other hand, were still having issues with their defence as they were conceding many corners. In the 45th minute and 2 minutes added on the clock, Wanderers nearly doubled their lead when Wallace got the better of defender Khumbo Banda before sending a cross, but Bullets’ Aaron Chilipa managed to concede a corner which was not capitalised. Soon after the recess, Bullets made another double substitution as Babatunde Adepoju and Henery Chiwaya were introduced for Kondowe and Banda. Just two minutes after re-starting the game, Wallace came again for Wanderers through the left flank and made a thunderous shot, which was saved by Nyasulu. Then the Nomads’ Coach Mpinganjira took off his striker Sulumba for midfielder Blessings Singini. In the 58th minute, Bullets had their first real chance at in the second-half, despite it being an off-target attempt by Babatunde who tried from long-range. Six minutes later, Wanderers launched an attack down the left flank, with Blessings Mwalilino leading the charge. A minute later, Daniel Kudonto Jnr managed a shot from outside the box, only to be denied by the woodwork. Bullets had an opportunity to at least score when Mike Mkwate, who was in the 18-yard box, made a shot, that went off-target, despite having a man in space to help equalise, Babatunde. Wanderers then introduced Promise Kamwendo for Rajab Nyirenda. In the 76th minute, Blessings Singini scored the second goal for the men in blue as his long-range shot found the target. Six minutes later, Singini completed a brace to make it 3-0 when he received a through-ball from Promise Kamwendo. The goal came from a mistake committed by defender Andrew Jovinala in the defensive zone. This means Singini now has scored 8 times in the 2025 TNM Super League, the joint-third best with Civil Service United’s Dustan Banda and behind the top Babatunde (12) and Salima (9). Bullets then replaced Aaron Chilipa for Maxwell Gastin Phodo while Wanderers brought in Clement Nyondo and Masiya Manda for Mwalilino and Wallace. Bullets had their last known chance in the 88th minute when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box, but it went straight to the keeper, Dalitso Khungwa. At the end of the match, Wanderers Felix Zulu was then awarded as the man-of-the-match. In post-match interviews, coach Mpinganjira said his charges made many chances and utilised them. “It is a motivation to us and there could have even been more than three goals,” he said. On the other hand, coach Mponda gave credit to their opponents and said he did not expect a positive result from his side. Nonetheless, Mponda said the defeat does not take away their title hopes. “We still have more games to play. Yes, it has dented our ambitions, but I think we are still in it. They (Wanderers) have got a game in hand and we are a point ahead,” Mponda said. Last time the two sides met in the first round, Wanderers also claimed the bragging rights after they defeated Bullets 1-0, courtesy of Blessings Mwalilino. Elsewhere, Moyale Barracks won 2-1 against their fellow Malawi Defence Force outfit, Kamuzu Barracks. Moyale scored through Nadrick Nyirenda’s brace on the 41st and 53rd minute strikes while KB scored via John Mchema on the 29th minute. League action returns on Wednesday as Mighty Wanderers will face Songwe Border United at Kamuzu Stadium while Silver Strikers will travel to face MAFCO up North and Kamuzu Barracks will face Mzuzu City Hammers.
