The red and blue halves of Blantyre will collide once again this Sunday when FCB Nyasa Big Bullets host Mighty Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium in the 78th Blantyre derby.
With the TNM Super League title race heating up, here are five key things to know before Malawi’s biggest football fixture.
Title Race Tension at the Top
The two Blantyre giants head into the derby in excellent form, separated by just four points at the summit.
Bullets lead the standings with 49 points from 20 matches, having scored 49 goals and boasting a +36 goal difference. Wanderers, unbeaten in the league this season, sit second with 45 points from 19 games after their 3-1 victory over Blue Eagles on Wednesday.
A Bullets win on Sunday would open up a seven-point gap at the top, while a Wanderers victory would tighten the title race even further.
Form and Momentum
Peter Mponda’s men are flying high with eight consecutive wins across all competitions. Their recent 3-0 victory over Mafco underlined a team full of confidence, precision, and attacking rhythm.
Bob Mpinganjira’s Wanderers also carry momentum into the clash. After participating in the CAF Confederation Cup, where they were eliminated on penalties by Jwaneng Galaxy following a 1-1 aggregate result, they bounced back with two impressive results — a penalty shootout win over Creck Sporting Club in the FDH Bank Cup, and a 3-1 league victory away to Blue Eagles.
Both sides arrive in top form, setting up what promises to be a fiercely contested derby.
Recent Head-to-Head
The Blantyre Derby has delivered tight and dramatic encounters in recent years. Since 2022, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers have met six times in the league, with The People’s Team holding a slight advantage.
Bullets have registered two wins, Wanderers have claimed one, while three encounters have ended in draws.
Their most recent meeting came earlier this season when Blessings Mwalilino’s first-half strike handed Wanderers a 1-0 win — their first derby victory in more than two years.
Before that, Bullets secured a 2-1 away win in 2024, while the reverse fixture ended 1-1. The 2023 derbies finished 1-1 and 0-0, while in 2022, fans were treated to end-to-end action in a 3-3 draw and a 2-1 Bullets win.
Another electric chapter awaits this weekend in front of what’s expected to be a sold-out Kamuzu Stadium.
Key Players to Watch
Babatunde Adepoju leads both Bullets and the TNM Super League scoring charts with 12 goals and five assists in 19 matches. His strength, positioning, and finishing make him a constant threat inside the box.
Hassan Kajoke, fresh from a brace and Player of the Match performance against Mafco, has rediscovered his form, taking his tally to six league goals in 14 games.
Chikumbutso Salima, who returned from injury on Tuesday, adds pace and creativity, while Chrispin Mapemba’s return after nearly a year out strengthens Bullets’ left flank.
In midfield, Frank Willard and Paul Master will battle for control against Wanderers’ Felix Zulu and Blessings Singini, in what’s expected to be a decisive engine-room contest.
At the back, Blessings Mpokera has been the pillar of Bullets’ defence this season, combining composure and timing to keep eight clean sheets for goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu, who himself has enjoyed an outstanding campaign.
For Wanderers, Blessings Mwalilino — scorer of the first-round winner — remains their main danger man, while Wisdom Mpinganjira, with seven assists, will be key in creating chances.
What’s at Stake
It’s more than just a game — it’s pride, dominance, and history.
A win for Bullets would extend their lead and avenge May’s first-round defeat. For Wanderers, victory would maintain their unbeaten record and draw them within a single point of their city rivals, still with a game in hand.
Expect intensity, drama, and noise as Blantyre’s greatest football rivalry writes its next chapter under the Kamuzu Stadium sun.
