As curtains are being drawn for the end of the first round in the TNM Super League, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers would be preparing for the last push towards the holy grail of finishing first in the 16-team league.
The situation is finely poised as the two teams are only separated by a single point with Wanderers having accumulated 34 points and Bullets racking up 33 points from 14 games played.
Wanderers, who sit pretty on the Sapitwa summit of the league, are yet to taste the texture of defeat, while second-placed Bullets have already lost three games and notched 11 wins – one more than Wanderers.
While Bullets host Karonga United at the iconic Kamuzu Stadium, Wanderers will be away at the rejuvenated Civo Service United’s fortress, Civo Stadium, on Sunday, 10th August, 2025.
However, both teams are fraught with frailties and fragility deep within their teams that could derail their posturing for the coveted position.
For a start, both teams have consistently shown a deeper penchant for over-reliance of one star player for cutting edge and breaking defensive lines leading to a ‘pack mentality’, such that when their star player is contained or is strategically targeted, both teams dip in performance leading to a loss or draw.
For instance, Chikumbutso Salima has many times single-handedly carved open defences for scoring opportunities and even scored goals himself for Bullets. If he is contained or absent, Bullets have struggled for form or rhythm to create goal scoring opportunities.
Similarly, Wisdom ‘Wisedinho’ Mpinganjira’s marauding runs have destabilised opposing defences, resulting in goal scoring opportunities for his team.
But when contained or if he is just having a bad day at the office that day, Wanderers have huffed and puffed their way, disappointing their loyalists in the end. No wonder both players have racked up multiple man-of-the-match awards for their teams.
However, they have somewhat dimmed as either they do not pose the same level of threat as at the beginning of the league or have been found out.
In addition, Bullets have struggled to find solutions against resilient teams that keep their shape and structure, press high with high intensity energy, stand toe to toe against them, and close down spaces.
During these games, Bullets have obviously lacked courage and boldness or pockets of space maverick to beat the high press or manoeuvre within the space and be a launch pad for attacks. The Civo, Blue Eagles, and Wanderes games come to mind as examples.
Similarly, Wanderers have failed to impose themselves against teams that are brave and confident on the ball and are on the front foot. Obviously, the Chitipa game at Kamuzu Stadium is a perfect example.
Many football enthusiasts have correctly pointed out a thin or marginal line in terms of quality that separates players in giant teams and lower ranked teams.
They have argued that players in Bullets and Wanderers teams have an added advantage as they ride on pedigree and the name of the club and that is why they seem out of their wits and depth when challenged in man-to-man situations.
Furthermore, Wanderers have deeper frailties with their central defence, with Peter Cholopi and Chaziya dipping in form and being very inconsistent. Their replacement, Emmanuel Nyirenda, has looked heavy and also been exposed for pace. The central defence is one huge grey area Wanderers need to carefully find solutions for.
The loss of Banega is yet to be quantified, but Bullets have shown instability since his departure that it has consequently affected their ball carriage towards the front lines.
Bullets also need to polish the final delivery from Mologeni, Gamphani, and even Mpokera, especially when he overlaps.
For those that have followed, most of their wingers do manage to break the lines effectively, but the final ball or cross is either too deep or wildly away which has consequently affected their goal tally as well.
So, as the two Blantyre giants and their fans are giddying and gearing up to see who finishes first, they ought to realise that they have their work cut out for themselves and have huge frailties to contend and find solutions for as these could prove to be their Achilles’ heel.
