Frank Mojah Dzuwa
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets coach Peter Mponda is still finding it difficult to register his first Blantyre derby victory following today’s FDH Bank Cup semi final defeat to their old rivals at Kamuzu Stadium.
This means coach Mponda has lost all three Blantyre derbies since arrival at Bullets as head coach in January this year from Silver Strikers. He is yet to score past Mighty Wanderers.
He lost his first derby 1-0 in July before a 3-0 trashing in the second round last week and today he has lost a third in the FDH Bank Cup semi-finals at the same venue 1-0.
Today’s defeat has dented Bullets’ hopes to reach FDH Bank final for the fourth time, a record which no team has reached. They reached the final for the first time in 2022 and won it beating their reserve side 3-1.
In 2023 they also reached the final and won it beating Mafco FC 3-0 before reaching another final last year and lost it to Blue Eagles 3-2 on post-match penalties after regulation time ended 0-0.
However, victory for Nomads today means that they have broken the jinx of not reaching the final of FDH Bank Cup since its inception in 2021.
Today’s match:
Promise Kamwendo scored the only goal of the match in the 89th minute, sealing a memorable win for the Nomads and extending their dominance over Bullets.
After the match, Wanderers head coach Bob Mpinganjira said he was happy with the team’s effort and focus.
“It was a good game, we played very well from the beginning. Our hope is to win this cup, but we need to work hard because Silver Strikers are also a good team. We will plan well so that we can get the result,” he said.
His counterpart, Mponda said his team played well but failed to make use of their dominance.
“Very painful to take the way we played today. We dominated and did everything to get a good result, but unfortunately it didn’t happen. They capitalized on poor marking, it’s very painful to take,” he said.
Kamwendo was named man of the match for his decisive performance that sent Wanderers into the final. The Nomads will now face Silver Strikers in the final of FDH Bank Cup season 5. The Central Bankers progressed over their rivals Civil Service United 1-0 on Saturday at Bingu National Stadium.
Lineups:
Wanderers: Dalitso Nkhungwa, Stanley Sanudi, Peter Cholopi, Timothy Silwimba, Felix Zulu, Daniel Kudonto, Blessings Singini, Adam Wallace, Isaac Kaliati, Clement Nyondo, Sama Tijong
Bullets: Innocent Nyasulu, Blessings Mpokera, Frank Willard, Chikumbutso Salima, Chrispin Mapemba, Babatunde Adepoju, Aaron Chilipa, Gasten Phodo, Chawanangwa Gumbo, Wongani Lungu, Yankho Singo.
