Mpinganjira hails Nomads players, fans

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC president Thomson Mpinganjira has hailed the team’s supporters for their good behaviour during Saturday TNM Super League encounter against arch-rivals FCB Nyasa Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

Prior to the Blantyre derby, which ended one-all, the business mogul and philanthropist had threatened to withdraw his sponsorship if supporters misbehaved at the match.

The threat came after the fans twice held the players hostage and showered insults at them following a one-all draw against Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar at Kamuzu Stadium and a 0-1 loss to rookies Extreme FC. Mpinganjira, who doubles as as the club’s board chairperson, has also saluted the players for their good performance.

He said: “I was not present at the stadium, but I  understand from reports from everyone that it was a great game by Wanderers as evidenced by Wisdom [Mpinganjira] winning the man-of-the-match award.

“I am reliably informed that we dominated the match and with an ounce of luck, we should have won.”

Turning to the fans, Mpinganjira said: “I have not heard of any incidents by supporters, but then I personally hired an extra 20 police officers to provide security to our players and technical team.

“But I would like to commend our supporters for cheering the team instead of misbehaving.”

The team’s main supporters committee chairperson Dinesi Chitsulo said he was relieved that the supporters behaved themselves.

“The president has time and again emphasised on the need to refrain from deplorable behaviour and it was good that the team played really well despite not winning and the fans behaved themselves.

“We will continue to enforce discipline among the supporters, otherwise we were worried that we would lose sponsorship.”

Through his Ekhaya Farms Foods Limited, Mpinganjira is the biggest Nomads sponsor at K410 million.