It is a Blantyre derby in Malawi, a meeting of two giants, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and their rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers. The two will face off in the TNM Super League at Kamuzu Stadium today.
Although both teams have 53 points apiece, the Bullets lead due to goal difference. Wanderers have played 27 games with three games left, while the Bullets have played 24 games and have the advantage of having one game in hand.
A win for Wanderers to see them opening a 3-point gap but they will be waiting to see if Bullets will drop points.
Mighty coach Mark Harrison said they cannot afford to lose this derby. If we lose, its over for us ” he said. While Big Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa says his charges are ready to take on Wanderers.
It all began in 1967 when a few Blantyre players chose to split from their hometown rivals, the Wanderers, to become the Bullets. Wanderers consisted solely of White and Colored people at that point.
The rivalry started because of Yasin Osman in 1968 after he expressed interest to join Bullets. Upon hearing this, Wanderers club and supporters agreed to sell him for 100 Malawian pounds, making him the first football player ever to be auctioned off in Malawian history.
Bullets dominate the derby since 2010.
The first rivalry in Malawian football began with the first official derby between the two sides, which took place in the Blantyre district football League in 1968. James Mkwanda scored the game’s lone goal to lead Wanderers to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over their rivals.
In 25 Blantyre derbies since October 2010, there have been 48 goals scored; Big Bullets have won 9 of the games, Mukuru Wanderers have won 5, and 11 have ended in draws.
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From December 2012, Wanderers have managed to only win one derby in 2021. Two derbies have produced 8 draws since 2017 to date. In 2022 Bullets were victorious and Wanderers won the 2021 derby.
