As The People’s Team gear up for another Blantyre derby showdown against Mighty Wanderers in the FDH Bank Cup semifinal on Sunday, history tilts firmly in Bullets’ favour.
The two rivals have met twice before in this competition — and both times, Bullets emerged victorious.
In 2022, The People’s Team delivered a dominant 4-0 victory in the semifinal at Kamuzu Stadium, with goals from Gomezgani Chirwa, Hassan Kajoke, Anthony Mfune, and Babatunde Adepoju sealing a place in the final, where Bullets went on to lift the Cup for the first time.
Two years later, in 2024, Bullets once again proved clinical, edging Wanderers 2-1 in the Round of 16. A first-half brace from Babatunde Adepoju was enough to send Maule through, with Wanderers only managing a late consolation.
From those encounters, The People’s Team carry a perfect record against the Nomads in this competition — six goals scored, just one conceded, and two commanding wins in two meetings.
Looking Back
The FDH Bank Cup was introduced in 2021, with Silver Strikers crowned as the inaugural winners. Bullets then went on to dominate the competition in 2022 and 2023, winning back-to-back titles before narrowly losing the 2024 final to Blue Eagles.
It all began on 24 September 2022, when Bullets produced a derby masterclass — hammering the Nomads 4-0 in the semifinal at Kamuzu Stadium to set up a family affair against the Reserves in the final. The first team went on to lift the trophy, marking the beginning of their reign in the competition.
Fast forward to 28 July 2024, and it was Babatunde Adepoju once again tormenting his former club — striking twice inside 26 minutes before Cameroonian Thierry Sama netted a late consolation. The 2-1 victory booked Bullets’ place in the quarterfinals and reaffirmed their cup pedigree.
Both victories highlighted Bullets’ enduring big-match mentality — the hunger, composure, and unity that define The People’s Team. As Sunday’s semifinal approaches, that spirit will once again drive Maule in pursuit of another FDH Bank Cup final, set for 9 November at Bingu National Stadium.
Head-To-Head Record
The Blantyre rivals have faced each other 78 times across all competitions since their rivalry began in 1967.
While Wanderers have had the upper hand in the 2025 TNM Super League, Bullets boast a dominant record in cup competitions — particularly in knockout stages over the past decade.
Across their last nine cup meetings, Bullets have recorded six wins, with Wanderers winning three. The most recent semifinal showdown between the two sides came in the 2023 Castel Challenge Cup, which Bullets won 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
FDH Bank Cup Fact File
2021: Silver Strikers
2022: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
2023: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
2024: Blue Eagles
