This Saturday marks the highly anticipated arrival of the first Blantyre Derby of 2025, as Mighty Wanderers lock horns with FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in the TNM Super League at Kamuzu Stadium.
Victory will not only grant the winning side citywide bragging rights and a chance to lord over Blantyre, but will also hand them a valuable edge in the league race.
This fiercely awaited encounter promises to bring the month’s football festivities to a thrilling climax, with Malawi’s two most celebrated teams preparing to etch a new chapter in the nation’s greatest sporting rivalry.
Let’s take a closer look at what awaits in this blockbuster match-up.
FORM GUIDE
Three crucial points are up for grabs, with the home side looking to close the gap on the league leaders, while the visitors aim to extend their advantage before the TNM Super League pauses for the COSAFA Senior Championship, set for June 4 to 15 in South Africa.
Anticipation is running high among both sets of supporters, particularly for the Bullets, who have stormed to the top of the table after winning all six of the opening league ames.
Under Peter Mponda, Bullets have collected a perfect 18 points, notching up victories over Silver Strikers and Dedza Dynamos (both 1-0), Creck Sporting Club (4-1), Songwe Border United (7-0), Chitipa United (3-0), and Kamuzu Barracks (4-0). In the process, netting a remarkable 20 goals and conceded only once.
Wanderers, meanwhile, will be eager to rebound after their recent draw with Silver Strikers, in which they surrendered a late equalizer. The Nomads were just moments away from a hard-fought win over the Central Bankers, having taken a 90th-minute lead through Blessings Mwalilino before Chinsinsi Maonga leveled the score in the 92nd minute.
Their campaign began with a 3-1 home victory over Blue Eagles, followed by a 3-2 triumph against Mighty Tigers at the same ground. They then edged Creck Sporting Club 1-0 in Mponela and returned to Blantyre for a 2-0 win over Mafco FC. Their last outing before the derby saw them earn a 1-1 draw against Silver Strikers.
So far, Wanderers have found the back of the net 10 times and conceded six goals, securing just two clean sheets in their first five matches. They’ve accumulated 13 points—five behind Bullets—but still have a game in hand.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since 2014, Bullets and Wanderers have met 28 times, with Bullets claiming 11 wins, 12 draws, and our rivals suffering five defeats. Bullets have scored 30 goals in these clashes, while Wanderers have 23.
The most dramatic derby scoreline in the past ten years came in the second round of the 2022 season, when Bullets surrendered a 3-1 lead to finish 3-3.
Our most recent meeting ended 2-1 in Bullets’ favor, courtesy of goals from Babatunde Adepoju and Ronald Chitiyo, with Thierry Samar Tajong netting the consolation for Wanderers.
TEAM NEWS
Mponda’s squad reports a clean bill of health, aside from Chrispin Mapemba and Peter Banda, who both remain sidelined as they recuperate from long-term injuries.
MPONDA’S PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
KICK-OFF TIME AND HOW TO WATCH THE MATCH
Saturday’s encounter will kick off at 14:30. Fans can catch the action live on Mpira TV, MBC TV, and FIFA+, with instant updates provided on our official Facebook and X (Twitter) channels.
MATCH OFFICIALS
David Chinoko has been appointed to officiate the highly anticipated Blantyre derby this Saturday in the TNM Super League at Kamuzu Stadium.
Referee: David Chinoko
Assistant Ref: Happiness Mbandambanda
Assistant Ref: Mussa Grant
Fourth Official: Easter Zimba
Match Assessor: Moffat Champiti
