Luso tv dares bullets, nomads

Luso Television (TV) has engaged rivals Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers in a two-legged football bonanza that will see eventual winners taking home a 26-seater Nissan Civilian bus worth K25 million, all the stakeholders have confirmed.

Dubbed ‘Luso TV Bus Ipite Soccer Fiesta,’ the bonanza will have its first leg played at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on December 26 before the final leg at the state-of-the-art Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on January 1, according to Luso TV manager Dick Juma.

This is the second time the television station has organised a bonanza involving TNM Super League clubs as they did the same in September 2013 when four teams, namely Bullets, Wanderers, Epac and Silver Strikers participated. Bullets eventually beat Wanderers 4-3 on post-match penalties in the finals.

But why has Luso TV involved only two top-flight league outfits this time around?

“You are aware Bullets and Wanderers are the biggest crowd pullers in domestic football. Therefore, we want maximum hype as we promote our brand,” said Juma.

“Moreover, we noted that despite being the oldest teams, they have transportation problems to and from match venues. This is an opportunity for one of them to have a new bus, which is on its way from Japan.”

Juma said they will provide K2 million to each team for their preparations ahead of the two-legged tie. He added that they will also provide appearance fees, accommodation and food to the clubs.

Wanderers’ vice-chairperson Gift Mkandawire told The Nation yesterday they have agreed with the terms and conditions of the competition and that they will soon start preparations.

“This is our opportunity to have our own bus as we spend almost K1 million to hire a bus for our away games in Mzuzu. Of course, we are aware that we will get nothing if we lose the competition, but we feel it is the necessary risk we have to take to possibly avert our transportation woes,” Mkandawire said.

Bullets chairperson Noel Lipipa also said they are ready for the bonanza, saying it will help them sort out transportation problems.

“We agreed as Bullets executive committee to take part in the event because we know it will be good for the club if we win it,” he said.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions manager Gomezgani Zakazaka confirmed yesterday that Luso TV approached them for the event and everything seems to be going the right direction.

This morning, Luso TV is expected to have a press briefing on the same at FAM offices in Chiwembe, Blantyre. n