Bullets players need spiritual guidance

The Reverend Stanley Chimesya of the CCAP Blantyre  synod has said Big Bullets players need spiritual guidance and counselling to ensure dedicated performance on the pitch.

Chimesya, who handles psychosocial and psycho-religion issues at the Synod, made the observation after visiting the team during a training session at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Tuesday. The reverend confessed he is a staunch Bullets’ fan.

But Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire said although they know that spiritual guidance and counselling are important, the players can only improve their performance when they have enough money in their pockets and receive their salaries on time.

Chimesya said he watched Bullets’ 3-2 loss to Red Lions last week and noticed that some players, especially the goalkeeper, performed poorly due to psychological problems.

“This happened probably because the players are not flexible to voice out their concerns to the team’s management before matches or they have personal issues.

“However, it would be helpful if the team’s authorities and spiritual advisers consult the players individually before matches to help them sort out their problems. Once that happens, players can give their all during matches,” he said.

However, Mkandawire said lack of incentives is the biggest challenge that needs to be overcome for their players to be dedicated to their games.

“The solution to our problem is not spiritual guidance. Money is everything. Due to our poverty, we delay to pay salaries and allowances to the players,” he said.

Bullets’ midfielder Chimango Kayira agreed with Chimesya that the players do not express their grievances to officials and end up spoiling the technical panel’s game plan when featured in a match.

“Sometimes we fear to voice out our personal problems to our coach for fear of being left on the bench and losing out in terms of game bonuses,” he said.