Bullets summon technical panel

They are looking forward to defending the TNM Super League title, yet with six matches before they wrap up the season, Nyasa Big Bullets have never been at the top of the TNM Super League log table.

Now pressure is mounting on the club’s coaches Mabvuto Lungu and Lloyd Nkhwazi who have been summoned by the executive committee to explain the team’s recent slump in form.

The meeting, scheduled for this Sunday in Blantyre, comes after the expiry of a seven-day ultimatum the technical panel was given after the TNM Super League defending champions failed to register victory in four matches.

The executive committee’s reaction comes on the back of the team’s failure to ascend to the top of the TNM Super League log table since the season kicked off early this year, casting doubts on the team’s capability to defend the title.

They missed the opportunity to lead the table in their last three matches as they were held by Azam Tigers, Red Lions and Silver Strikers.

Bullets’ hopes of winning a cup were already thwarted after they were knocked out of the Fisd Cup Challenge by Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium having also missed out on Carlsberg Cup which their rivals Be Forward Wanderers won.

There have been reports suggesting replacement of Lungu and Nkhwazi with former coaches Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan and Elia Kananji, but yesterday general secretary Kelvin Moyo ruled out firing of the coaches.

“The coaches have been summoned to explain why the results have not been forthcoming. The meeting is not aimed at firing the coaches. I don’t think it would be wise to fire the coaches with just six matches remaining to finish the season,” he said.

Last week, the club’s trustees took the executive committee to task over the team’s poor performance.

A letter signed by trustees secretary Jim Kalua reads: “The board of trustees has agreed that you demand an explanation from them [coaches] within the next seven days.  They have all resources and mediocre performance at Nyasa Big Bullets is not tolerated.”

But yesterday, Kalua described the team’s performance after the match against Silver as okay.

“I think a draw in that game [against Silver] was fair,” he said.

Bullets team manager Rahim Ishmael decried lost opportunities which have seen them fail to score in three consecutive matches.

“We played with hunger and if we had made use of our chances in the first half. It could have been a different result,” he said.

Mafco lead the log table with 44 points from 23 matches while Silver are second with 43 points from 23 games as well.

Bullets are thrid with 42 points from 24 games. n