Bullets’ TZ fans trip flops
Nyasa Big Bullets have said their planned road trip to Tanzania for the fans to cheer the team during tomorrow’s CAF Champions League preliminary round second leg against Simba SC, has hit a snag.
The People’s Team face Simba at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam tomorrow hoping to turn the tables after losing the first leg 0-2 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Confirming the cancellation of the trip in an interview yesterday, Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said the trip has failed due to poor response from the fans.
On whether this has the potential to affect the performance of the team, he said: “Somehow it will. We hope Malawians based in Tanzania will come to support the team.”
On his part, the club’s director responsible for supporters Stone Mwamadi said it is unfortunate that the trip fell through.
He said: “As I said, supporters are our 12th player and we were banking on them to give the team the morale support they desperately need.
“Nevertheless, we are still optimistic that the boys will give out their best and that we will turn the tables.
“We will bank on ganyu support from Yanga FC fans since they are Simba’s rival, the same way [Mighty] Mukuru Wanderers fans supported Simba last Saturday.
“There are also many Malawians based in Tanzania and we are hopeful that they will come and support their team.”
Mwamadi attributed the fans’ lukewarm response to the current economic climate.
“While the first leg result might have played a role, but economically things are tough,” he said.
Meanwhile, the team flew out to Dar es Salaam yesterday afternoon.
On Wednesday, the People’s Team chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda urged their fans not to give up hope on the prospects of upsetting the tables tomorrow.
He said: “We are targeting at least over 40 supporters and so far the response has not been convincing, possibly because of the first leg result.
“But the battle is not yet over and I am appealing to our fans not to give up.
“Miracles happen in football and if they [Simba] were able to score two goals, we can do the same in Dar es Salaam.”
Bullets legend and former coach Kinnah Phiri, who guided the team to their only qualification to the group stages in 2004, also said the battle is still on.
He said: “The odds favour Simba as they will carry a two-goal lead going into the second leg at home, but Bullets can still turn it around depending on their approach.
“They have nothing to lose and, therefore, need to go full throttle for an early goal so as to unsettle their opponents. This is football and anything can happen.”
The supporters were scheduled to leave yesterday and were expected to arrive today.
Travel fee was pegged at K90 000 while the team’s 441 subscribers were required to pay K70 000.
