‘Blue’ssing fame: How Mighty Wanderers ended 13-game derby drought

By 4:30 PM on Saturday, the commercial capital of Malawi, Blantyre, had been painted in deep shades of blue. It was the day Mighty Wanderers finally ended their long-standing derby drought—and at the heart of it all was one man: Blessings Mwalilino, a name now echoing far beyond the boundaries of Kamuzu Stadium, reverberating through the streets of Malawi and beyond.

Scoring a goal is sweet. Scoring the winning goal in the Blantyre Derby—one of Africa’s fiercest football rivalries—is pure bliss. Mwalilino’s 11th-minute strike was not just a goal; it was a symbolic dagger that pierced through years of frustration and futility, elevating the Nomads to within touching distance of league leaders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.

In one moment, Mwalilino etched his name in the folklore of a rivalry steeped in decades of passion, pride, and historic battle.

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Ironically, this very hero was almost wearing different colors. In the 2024 mid-season transfer window, Creck Sporting Club came knocking for Mwalilino after a short but electric stint at Karonga United, where he had arrived from Chilumba Barracks. However, Karonga United played hardball. “He’s not for sale,” they declared.

Their resistance only delayed the inevitable. Earlier this year, Wanderers beat off stiff competition from Silver Strikers and Kamuzu Barracks to secure his signature. It wasn’t just a transfer—it was a turning point.

Since his arrival, Mwalilino has found it tough to break into Bob Mpinganjira’s starting XI. But football rewards persistence. He now has two goals in two consecutive matches. Last weekend, he came off the bench to snatch a late goal against Silver Strikers, only to see Chinsinsi Maonga steal the headlines with a last-minute stunner. But this time, there was no stealing his thunder.

This was not just another match. It was a statement. A resurrection. An exorcism of ghosts that had haunted the blue half of Blantyre for 13 consecutive derbies.

The game kicked off with a poignant tribute—a minute of silence in honor of the late Yasin ‘Teacher’ Osman, the only coach to deliver a league title to the Nomads in the past 15 years. Ironically, Osman had once dared to cross the great divide, playing for both giants during his illustrious career. Fittingly, his spirit hovered over a derby that finally saw the tide turn blue.

As if driven by his memory, the Nomads came out with fire in their boots and steel in their veins. The billing of the derby matches with the gross revenue realised during the game: MK154 Million was in the bag and each team walked away with MK36 Million.

From the first whistle, the intent was clear. Wanderers, lining up in a 3-5-2 formation mirroring their rivals, pressed high, tackled hard, and surged forward with every ball. Their front two—Promise Kamwendo and Blessings Mwalilino—tormented Bullets’ backline with constant movement and aggression.

Mighty Wanderers ate Bullets’ midfield. It has been a strong department where they tormented teams. The Nomads had a well calculated move on that. Blessings Singini played with Wongani Lungu who is Bullets’ engine nowadays but it was a battle qell won by the Nomads.

The breakthrough came early. A perfectly whipped corner from Francisco Madinga was met by a darting Mwalilino, who slipped through the cracks in Bullets’ zonal marking and guided the ball into the net. The stadium erupted. After years of heartache, the Nomads were ahead—and this time, they would not let it slip.

Chikumbutso Salima was a menace down the right flank, his piercing runs and crosses asking constant questions. One of his dazzling dribbles ended in a controversial moment when he was brought down in the box, only for the referee to wave away fervent penalty appeals.

Wanderers weren’t just dominating—they were suffocating their opponents. Blessings Singini forced a fingertip save from Innocent Nyasulu with a thunderous long-range strike, while Mwalilino nearly doubled the lead after intercepting a poor pass, only to blast over the bar.

On the other end, Stanley Sanudi was colossal. When Babatunde Adepoju finally got a clear header from a Yamikani Mologeni’s cross, Sanudi was perfectly placed to clear off the line. The defensive line of Wanderers played with military discipline.

Credit where it’s due—Bullets tried to fight back. Coach Peter Mponda shuffled his deck, making early substitutions as Clyde Senaji, Blessings Mpokera, Lloyd Banega Aroan, and Mike Mkwate were all withdrawn. But nothing seemed to click. They lacked cohesion, energy, and belief.

Mwalilino continued to cause chaos, using his pace and brute strength to muscle past defenders. Only a heroic save from Nyasulu denied him a brace and sealed what would have been a sensational solo performance.

Late on, Chancy Mtete made a gravity-defying tip over the bar to deny Babatunde again. The body language of Bullets’ players told the story—they knew the day belonged to the Nomads.

The result was more than three points. It was the end of a three-year league derby drought. The last time Wanderers won a league derby, Vincent Nyangulu was the hero, latching onto a sublime Yamikani Chester assist. Nyangulu now plies his trade in Zimbabwe, but the baton has clearly passed to Mwalilino.

This victory ends Bullets’ 13-match unbeaten run in the Blantyre Derby, including six wins in regular time and several heartbreaks for Wanderers in cup fixtures. It wasn’t just a win—it was vindication.

Coach Bob Mpinganjira had promised before kickoff: “It’s time to write new history.” His words now ring prophetically true.

Wanderers now remain the only unbeaten team in the TNM Super League. With a game in hand, they are firmly in the title race. From underdogs to contenders, their resurgence mirrors a season of football surprises—Crystal Palace’s first-ever trophy, Bologna’s first in 50 years, Spurs finally lifting silverware, and now, the Nomads ending the hoodoo.

As for Blessings Mwalilino, he’s no longer a benchwarmer. He’s no longer just a signing from the north. He is a blue flame, burning bright in a derby that needed a hero.