…….Wanderers FC cash out MK17 million Airtel money by beating Bullets in the final
…..Bullets FC 3(0)-(0)5 Wanderers
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The fate in the final of the 2022 Airtel Top 8 was decided through the post match penalties at the magnificent Bingu National Stadium on Saturday December 17, 2022 after regulation time between the Blantyre neighbors ended in a baren draw, 0-0.
The two sides started on a high not as they searched for early goals, Bullets’ Babatunde Adepoju shot on Wanderers goal at 8th minute, but veteran goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa parried it out for a first corner kick to Nyasa Big Bullets FC who were defending the cup.
The corner kick however did not bear any fruits as the Nomads defence of Peter Cholopi, Miracle Gabeya, Stanley Sanudi and Isaac Kaliat was well composed and locked against the Bullets.
Mighty Wanderers FC continued dominating the ball possession in this half as they also closed the spaces denying the People’s team from moving freely.
Despite the dominance, Wanderers’ attackers led by veteran Chiukepo Msowoya lacked composure and marksmanship whilst in the final danger area.
First half ended Bullets FC having one shot on target through Babatunde Adepoju, while Wanderers FC who were looking forward to win the cup for the first time, attempted through Francis Mkonda and Chiukepo Msowoya.
Godfrey Nkhakananga who officiated the highly contested Blantyre derby with zeal and confidence, blew for the recess and the score line remained nil nil.
Second half ignited fire as both Coaches Kalisto Pasuwa and Mark Harrison sniffed the Airtel money package, but precious goals to separate the two were nowhere to be found until both coaches started making changes.
Bullets introduced Yamikani Fodya, McFalen Mgwira and Hassan Kajoke for Patrick Mwaungulu, Precious Sambani and Stanley Biliat while the Nomads introduced Yamikani Chester, Vitumbiko Kumwenda and Vincent Nyangulu for Misheck Bottoman, Alfred Manyozo Jnr and Chiukepo Msowoya respectively.
However the changes did not bring any goals for the two gaffers until Nkhakananga blew the whistle marking the end of regulation time of the match and yes, both Nyasa Big Bullets FC and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC failed to transact through Airtel money hence the post match penalties had to decide the big beneficiary.
Stanley Sanudi wearing lesdership armband for the Lali Lubani outfit, took the first kick and made no mistake than sending Richard Chimbamba to the opposite direction.
Francis Mkonda, Miracle Gabeya, Peter Cholopi took their shots right to the extrent of substitute Vincent Nyangulu taking the decisive kick for Wanderers, exactly to the expectation of what Mark Harrison and the entire Nyerere fans wanted at the Bingu National Stadium.
Bullets FC scored through Hassan Kajoke,Yamikani Fodya and Babatunde Adepoju while Kestern Simbi’s kick went into the sky like that of England’s Harry Maguire against France in the ongoing World Cup in Qatar.
Ernest Petro was later voted man of the match.
Clement Nyondo, Chiukepo Msowoya and Lanjesi Nkhoma have shared the golden boot accolade after they both scored 2 goals.
The 2022 Airtel Top 8 has produced 34 goals.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC have won it for the first time since its introduction in 2017 as Silver Strikers FC were crowned the first champions.
The win has pleased tactician Mark Harrison who hailed his boys for the galant fight against their Blantyre City rivals, Nyasa Big Bullets FC.
Harrison dedicated the cup to the President of the Club Thom Mpinganjira who just recently told the boys to win it for him in appreciation for the huge sums of money he is investing in the Lali Luban Camp.
He added that he will beef up the squad ahead of the forthcoming season to compete at the summit of the TNM Superleague.
His counterpart Kalisto Pasuwa who was eyeing for a treble in the season acknowledged the defeat and hailed their opposition for giving them a good game saying they dominated areas against their plans which they thought they would dominate.
“Our friends were hungry to get the Trophy by the end of the season. We have been using youngsters hence we can’t talk much on them, they have done a good job in the season”, Pasuwa said.
The trophy is the first for Mighty Wanderers FC in almost five years
The team has recently changed the technical panels in search of the glory but it couldn’t come.
Here he is Mark Harrison winning them a silverware with less than 5 months in charge.
Is he the promised Messiah for the Lali Lubani outfit?
For the first time Wanderers has won the cup without a loss or conceding a goal in regulation time.
They were 4-0 victors over MAFCO FC in 2 legs,before smashing the area 30 outfit Blue Eagles FC 2-0 at Kamuzu Stadium, and on Saturday they played a goalless draw against rivals Nyasa Big Bullets FC.