Buoyed by ageless goalkeeper Valence Kamzere’s two clean sheets, Be Forward Wanderers fired the warning shots ahead of the new season by bagging the inaugural Wafawafa Big Four Bonanza Sunday.
Three months ago, Wanderers humiliated rivals, Nyasa Big Bullets, to lift the Luso Television Bus Ipite Bonanza at the same Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Yesterday, Wanderers made the Chinese-built stadium their familiar hunting ground after shrugging off Super League defending champions, Kamuzu Barracks (KB), 2-0 in the final. It was another wondrous outing for the Nomads.
The Nomads, who under veteran trainer Yasin Osman, have now claimed three consecutive trophies, including the Fisd Challenge Cup, owed their latest silverware to goals from Mike Kaziputa and Ishmael Thindwa in each half.
Winger Kaziputa scored from a corner kick in the 14th minute before, in the second half, Thindwa finished off the ball into the net after KB goalkeeper, Lemani Nthala’s fumble of substitute striker Jimmy Zakazaka’s thunderbolt.
To book the final berth, Wanderers defeated Bullets 1-0 in the semi-final on Saturday whereas KB saw off Silver Strikers in an early kick off at the same venue.
For a consolation, Bullets yesterday claimed bronze after beating Silver 5-4 on post-match penalties after Ghanaian striker, Mike Tetteh, missed the Bankers’ decisive penalty before George Nyirenda slammed in the Bullets’ winner yesterday.
There might be uncertainty regarding the 2017 season kick-off, but there is no doubt that the likes of Wanderers look ready for the new campaign whereas KB, Bullets and Silver have food for thought.
In a post-match interview, KB Coach, Billy Phambala, had no kind words for the officiating personnel.
“Some of the referees are not professional. They are failing to handle games properly,” Phambala said.
Osman, who made five changes to the squad by starting from the bench regulars such as Peter Wadabwa, Stanley Sanudi and Joseph Kamwendo, hailed his charges.
“The players did exceptionally well as we are still preparing for the season. KB came hard on us but we also had a similar approach,” he said.
Starting line-ups:
Wanderers— Kamzere, Foster Namwela, Lucky Malata, Francis Mlimbika, Bongani Kayipa, Alfred Manyozo Jnr, Yamikani Chester, Mike Kaziputa, Ernest Tambe (Joseph Kamwendo), Precious Msosa (Zakazaka), Thindwa
KB—Nthala, Vincent Mphepo, Pilirani Makupe, Pempho Kansichiri, Diouf Simaone, Gift M’bwana, Dave Banda, Ben Hojani, Harvey Nkacha, Kelvin Hanganda
Leave a Reply