Bullets’ match revenue drops

Gate revenue from FCB Nyasa Bullets matches has drastically dropped amid the team’s struggles which have seen the reigning TNM Super League failing to win in June.

The Bullets match against Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on June 2 which they lost 0-1, fetched a record K49 134 000.

After a two-week break as the country mourned former Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others who died in a plane crash on June 10, the defending champions travelled to Lilongwe to face Creck Sporting Club.

The match played at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe which ended in a one-all draw and fetched K25 496 050.

The People’s Team then returned to Lilongwe last week to face Kamuzu Barracks at the same venue, and the match which also ended in a draw grossed just K14 440 150.

The revenue drop in June which represents about 53 percent, has been attributed to the team’s poor performance in the league.

Bullets are enduring a torrid season having won just three matches out of 11, collecting 16 points out of a possible 33.

Off the pitch, the club was last week also embarrassed when sheriffs confiscated their bus following failure to pay former coach Franco Ndawa damages for unlawful dismissal in 2016.

The bus was reclaimed yesterday after paying the former coach K25 million.

The development came after players also boycotted training last week in protest against poor decisions by management of the club, including being accommodated at a substandard lodge when they travelled to Lilongwe to play Creck Sporting Club.

Bullets this week also fired their chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda.

Football analyst Charles Nyirenda said supporters are motivated to patronise games based on their team’s performance.

He said: “As you can see the whole month of June, Bullets did not win a match.

“Then we also have the internal problems that the team faced. That obviously impacts the psychology of the supporters.”

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) general secretary Williams Banda said apart from the teams’ performance, there are other factors that affect gate revenue.

“It also depends on gate management and how you market the matches,” he said.

Bullets acting chief executive officer Albert Chigoga was not available for comment, but in an earlier interview he called for unity in Bullets camp.

Bullets newly-appointed acting chief executive officer Albert Chigoga was not available for comment but in an earlier interview he called for unity in Bullets family.

He said: “Let’s continue giving support to the team as we usually do. Without supporters.”