Bullets off to Sudan today
After tales of doom and gloom, Big Bullets are scheduled to fly out to Kenya from Lilongwe this afternoon en route to Sudan for Sunday’s CAF Champions League first round, first-leg tie against Al Hilal in Omdurman.
Bullets chairperson Kondi Msungama yesterday confirmed that the team is scheduled to fly out from Kamuzu International Airport [Kia] at 3pm by Kenya Airways for Kenya’s capital Nairobi, where they will spend a night before connecting to Sudanese capital, Khartoum, tomorrow morning.
“We were planning to travel by Ethiopian Airlines, which flies straight from Blantyre today, but according to Skylinks, the agency that has processed our bookings, the flight is fully booked and the alternative was Kenya Airways.
“We are, therefore, planning to depart Blantyre for Lilongwe in the morning either by a hired coaster or by coach so that we should be in Lilongwe by noon and then proceed to KIA,” said Msungama.
Obviously, enjoying the last laugh, on a lighter note, Msungama said: “To all the prophets of doom, inform them that the train has left the station and if they so wish, they will get us in Sudan.
“On a serious note, though, this is not the time for witch-hunting. Let us all swallow our pride and put the interest of the team ahead because that is of utmost interest. If the mudslinging is taking place internally, what message are we sending across?
“We are carrying the national flag and there is need for sanity,” said Msungama.
He also said the issue of food, accommodation and part of the allowances is already taken care of.
“As I said, we had to negotiate for a loan to meet some of the expenses and we hope to settle it from the proceeds of the return match,” he said.
Bullets’ 25-member delegation will be led by Football Association of Malawi (FAM) executive member Othaniel Hara while on the part of Bullets, Msungama is the team leader.
Other officials on the trip are general secretary Harold Fote, technical director Billy Tewesa, team manager John Phiri, coach Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan, his deputy Lloyd Nkhwazi, goalkeeper trainer Swadick Sanudi and team doctor Godfrey Ng’ambi.
There is only one change to the playing squad that travelled to the Comoros last month. Ian Chinyama has been taken on board to replace Dave Ng’ambi.
The rest of the players are Vincent Gona, Chimwemwe Kumkwawa, Pilirani Zonda, Yamikani Fodya, Sankhani Mkandawire, Bashir Maunde, Miracle Gabeya, Fischer Kondowe (Captain), Dalitso Sailesi, Victor Limbani, Henry Kabichi, James Chilapondwa, Jaffalie Chande, Tizgobere Kumwenda and Mussa Manyenje.
