Mighty Mukuru Wanderers were left with plenty food for thought yesterday after their off-season massive signings counted for nothing following a pathetic display against their age-old rivals FCB Nyasa Bullets.

The Nomads, who spent well over K30 million to sign at least six big-name players, were out of sorts as they went down 2-1 to the People’s Team at Bingu National Stadium in the sixth edition of the NBS Bank plc-sponsored Charity Shield.

Bullets players celebrate after winning

Proceeds of the Charity Shield will go towards survivors of the Cyclone Freddy.

The Nomads were left searching their souls ahead of the 2023 season which kicks off this weekend.

It was also a perfect revenge for Bullets who lost to their bitter rivals in the Airtel Top 8 final in December.

Goals in either half from Maxwell Phodo and substitute Stanley Billiati, who replaced Patrick Mwaungulu, ensured a 2-1victory over their rivals.

The Nomads scored a consolation goal through substitute Mischek Bottoman in the 78th minute.

Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa hailed his charges for being patient in building up play.

“I really I am proud of my boys for exercising patients during build ups. We utilise the spaces well passing the ball with ease. It was a good mature performance and I believe we can go far with this kind of play. The only anomaly was that our defence played deep in the second half instead of attacking. We dropped energy in the second half,” he said.

“It is a great motivation ahead of the season. It seems the players have made this a speciality.”

Wanderers coach Mark Harrison described the first half as ‘dreadful’.

“I would say the first half performance was dreadful. It was shocking as we could not put a pass together. We were second on the ball and always chasing the ball. I can’t point out who played better among my players. But the result doesn’t matter as there is no money involved,” he said.

Billiat’s goal came after a defensive error on the part of Wanderers. Phodo crossed a fine ball into the box and defenders Lawrence Chaziya and Peter Cholopi failed to clear it.

Duringh the inaugural Charity Shiled in 2016 , Bullets dispatched Wanderers 2-0. In 2017, they beat Kamuzu Barracks 3-1.

In 2018, again it was Bullets who carried the honours after a seeing Silver Strikers 3-0. In 2019, they beat Wanderers 1-0.

Last season, Bullets beat Silver Strikers 1-0 to win the tournament.

NBS Bank chief executive officer Kwanele Ngwenya and Football Association of Malawi first vice-president Jabber Alide led the crowning ceremony.

happy the competition fulfilled its purpose.

“After the first games on Saturday, we saw the teams making changes on the second day, a development that tremendously improved quality of the games. This event was meant to help the four teams get ready for the new season and nothing went amiss,” he said.

The teams and the organisers also took advantage of the games to replant trees in Mulanje Mountain in response to the devastation caused by the recent Cyclone Freddy. Bon Voyage Club solicited tree seedlings from Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust for the purpose.

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