Bullets plead for supporters’ patience

Big Bullets FC have called for patience over demands for their coaches’ removal following the loss to Mighty Wanderers in the Standard Bank Knockout Trophy semi-finals last weekend.

Some fans are reported to have demanded the dismissal of head coach Eddington Ng’onamo and his assistant Gerald Phiri, saying they are Wanderers sympathisers and deliberately plotted the People’s Team downfall.

Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire said considering what they have done to rejuvinate the team, it is unfair to accuse the two of sympathising with nomads.

“We have heard that a section of our supporters are demanding the removal of the coaches, but what they need to understand is that the coaches have done a commendable job so far.

“We won the Presidential Cup under their tutelage and the loss to Wanderers was a lottery because it was through post-match penalties.

“Penalties are unpredictable as they can go either way and you cannot blame a coach for losing in penalties.

“As far as we are concerned, they are both good coaches and I plead with Bullets fans to be calm and give them a chance. I know it is painful for Bullets fans whenever we lose to Wanderers, but things will be alright very soon,” said Mkandawire.

He added that fans should learn to accept that in football you cannot always win.

“It is a wish for every team to be winning every game, but it is practically impossible. We will be losing some games much as we want to be winning all the time. Even during the time of Kinnah Phiri the team was losing some important games, but they never demanded the removal of coaches anyhow.

“Again if we fire the coaches who are doing well it will be hard to get other good coaches as they will be afraid to come on board because it will show that there is no job security at Bullets,” he said.

Ng’onamo said he feels bad when he is labelled a nomad.

“The fact that I coached Wanderers does not mean that I am a nomad. This is employment and in football when you coach or play for a team it does not automatically mean that you support that particular team. That is why players and coaches move from one team to another depending on the offers and contracts.

“I am here to work and build my reputation and CV. So, I can’t lose on purpose as that is destroying my career,” he said.

This is not the first time the two tacticians have been labelled Nomads sympathisers. When the Bullets lost to Wanderers in a first round league game, they also came under fire.

Under the two coaches, Bullets have won their first silverware in 10 years and are currently fourth in the Super League.