At exactly 2:00 PM afternoon of 31st May 2025, Kamuzu Stadium erupted with energy as the most anticipated fixture in football calendar the Blantyre Derby got underway. In a city split down the middle by loyalty, pride, and passion, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers took to the field not just to contest three points, but to write a new chapter in their storied rivalry.
By 5:00 PM, it wasn’t the usual “Mwana ndi Mwana” that sung from the red-clad side of the stadium. It was silence a deafening, powerful silence that spoke of heartbreak, disbelief, and an unspoken reverence for what had just occurred: a 1-0 victory for Wanderers.
The Nomads, as their slogan chants proudly declare, had marched in and conquered enemy territory with cold efficiency. Their blue corner roared with joy. Their rivals? Gone, ten minutes after the final whistle. Empty red seats. Empty voices.
It is clear fact that Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have made history by becoming the first team to defeat FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in this season’s TNM Super League.
The lone goal of the match came in the 11th minute of the first half through Blessings Mwalilino, and it proved to be enough to seal the win for Manoma.
Despite the loss, Bullets remain top of the table with 18 points from 7 games. Wanderers, however, are closing in with 16 points from 6 games and they remain unbeaten in the league so far.
For Bullets, the usually commanding midfield was muted. Their defense, shaky. Their attack, frustrated by a wall of blue.
In the aftermath, emotions flowed as freely as the sweat had during the ninety minutes of intensity.
Speaking in a post match interview with Our News Platform Mw, Chikondi Dimba, Ndirande based Bullets supporter expressed his point of view on the loss saying; not all days are sweet.
“We always sing ‘Mwana ndi Mwana’ after a win, but today not even one verse came out. I have never seen the Red Stand this quiet. It’s like we lost more than just a match,” he said.
Again, Peter Chirwa, Wanderers supporter said he is very voluptuous amidst what he dubbed unexpected victory.
“Seeing them leave early was the sweetest revenge. That’s how you know the win hit deep. This was more than football.
“This win is for every time we’ve been mocked. For every time ‘Mwana ndi Mwana’ rang in our ears. Not today. Today, the Nomads owned the city.
“We didn’t just win. We silenced the loudest fans in the country. I’m proud of the boys. This wasn’t luck; this was skill, hunger, and heart,” he said.
Grace Moyo, Bullets fan said: “I wanted to cry. That goal broke us. It’s hard to accept because we dominated possession, but possession doesn’t win games.
“I stayed until the end, but the pain was too much. Even the chants from the blue side felt like insults. We’ll remember this one. It’ll sting for a while.”
Peter Mponda Bullets head coach said his team had chances to win but his team failed to create more scoring opportunities, which contributed to the result.
“We controlled the tempo, but lacked precision in the final third. Losing to Wanderers is never easy. We’ll go back, regroup, and come back stronger,” he said.
In an interview, Wanderers head coach Bob Mpinganjira said the match was good, as their goal was to secure the full three points.
“We played with discipline. We knew they do come at us hard, but we stayed compact. The boys executed the plan perfectly. This wasn’t just a win, it was a statement.”
For Wanderers, this derby win could mark a turning point in their campaign. The confidence, the chemistry, the collective roar of the Nomads Nation it was all clicking.
For Bullets, the silence must now turn to introspection. The loss doesn’t mean the end, but it does call for urgent answers. The league is still long, but days like these linger in the hearts of fans.
Today, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers didn’t just win a game. They silenced a city if only for one unforgettable afternoon.
