UD Songo Wins FCB Nyasa Bullets Bonanza as Malawian Teams Struggle to Score
Malawian teams have once again failed to win the FCB Nyasa Bullets Bonanza since its inception in 2019. Nampula won the tournament in the first year, while Chicken Inn from Zimbabwe claimed victory in the second year. The third year of the tournament was no different, with Malawian teams struggling to score while their opponents showed greater creativity.
UD Songo won the tournament with a 31st-minute goal by Dario Melo. FCB Nyasa Bullets, who had drawn 0-0 with Mighty Mukuru Wanderers on Saturday, fielded a completely changed side. Although they dominated the game, they failed to find the scoring formula.
Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa expressed concern over his team's failure to score in three assignments, stating that it was not solely the fault of the strikers. According to him, a team needs supply from the midfield to score, an area that Bullets needs to work on. The lack of creativity on the part of Malawian teams was further exposed in the tournament, as Bullets failed to score in three games, while Mighty Mukuru Wanderers managed only two goals on the last day after misfiring in the first two matches.
The visitors, UD Songo, were the more organised team and their players' aerial presence and physique made the difference. Songo, who won the Mocambola Liga last year, were a formidable team and proved to be a challenge for the Malawian teams.
For participating teams, the bonanza provided an opportunity to test their players as they prepare for the next season. Songo's captain, John Banda, acknowledged that although they had a few days to prepare for the bonanza, it was a chance for their coaches to see how the team was shaping up. Mighty Mukuru Wanderers also used the tournament to prepare for the new season, recovering from their previous defeat and draw to beat Nampula 2-1 and finish as runners-up with four points.
Wanderers coach Mark Harrison was pleased with his team's performance. He stated that the games had helped them prepare well for the new season, and they had been on the offensive compared to their previous performance. Wanderers gave a spirited performance throughout the tournament, putting Nampula under control and recovering from a slip-up in concentration to equalise and get the winning goal.
In conclusion, the FCB Nyasa Bullets Bonanza has once again shown the lack of creativity among Malawian teams. The tournament provided an opportunity for teams to prepare for the next season, with UD Songo emerging as the winners and demonstrating their superiority over the Malawian teams. Although the tournament was a disappointment for Malawian teams, it was a chance for them to identify areas that need improvement as they prepare for the upcoming season.