Bullets to camp in South Africa

Big Bullets FC have unveiled their ambitious pre-season plan to camp in Limpopo, South Africa, for a week.

The club’s general secretary Harold Fote on Thursday said the trip was approved at a meeting of trustees, the executive and the main supporters committee held in Blantyre on Wednesday night.

Fote said the development follows a pledge by the club’s new chairperson Kondi Msungama to meet expenses for the trip. The team is scheduled to leave by Axa Bus Service on March 29.

“The chairperson briefed the meeting on the progress he has made as regards the arrangements. He has pledged to meet all the costs of the trip, including allowances from his pocket,” said Fote.

Msungama confirmed, in a separate interview, having pledged to meet all expenses to the tune of K4.5 million.

“Black Leopards FC, with whom I have a good working relationship, are assisting us with other bookings such as accommodation, but I will be responsible for all the expenses. It is no secret that this team has no money, but if we are to realise our dream of reviving it, then such investments are vital.

“But they [Leopards] through their managing director David Thidiela, have offered to provide us with the training facilities and other technical assistance,” said Msungama.

He assured that he will not ask for a refund of the funds at any time in future.

Msungama added that during the week-long tour, Bullets will play games against South African lower league sides Phungo All Stars and Basel.

“Of course, we would have loved to play against Leopards, but they are now fighting for promotion back into the PSL (Premier Soccer League) and the National First Division (NFD) race for championship has reached a crucial stage whereby they are now second on the log and their focus is firmly on the league,” said Msungama.

“We want to have special pre-season preparations by camping in South Africa because it helps to settle the players’ minds as well as concentration,” he said.

Thidiela confirmed that they are helping Bullets with other logistical arrangements for the trip.

This will the second time for Bullets to have pre-season camp abroad. In 2003, they camped in England for one and a half months and played a number of matches.

At that time, they were sponsored by former president Bakili Muluzi and they went on to qualify for the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League and ousted big teams from the tournament such as Orlando Pirates (South Africa), Zanaco (Zambia) and Villa (Uganda).

On the local scene, they won the TNM Super League championship. At that time, Msungama was the vice-treasurer.

Meanwhile, Bullets have organised a raffle draw to enable at least 10 supporters to win prizes to accompany the team to Limpopo.

Said Fote: “The tickets will be selling at K200 each and apart from the trip, supporters will stand a chance to win cash prizes, mobile phones and other electrical gadgets.

“Tickets will be on sale from this weekend in Balaka where we will play friendly matches against Red Lions and Cobbe Barracks.

“Fans who want to register are advised that the exercise will be done at both matches,” said Fote.