Nomads U-turn on hosting derby in Lilongwe

Be Forward Wanderers have made a U-turn on their intention to host next weekend’s TNM Super League showdown against their age-old rivals Nyasa Big Bullets at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe.

Nomads chairperson Gift Mkandawire said that having weighed the pros and cons, especially expenses, they have resolved to host the Blantyre derby at its ceremonial home—Kamuzu Stadium.

He said the club’s main supporters committee made the suggestion to play in Lilongwe in anticipation of more gate revenue and that their fellow capital city supporters also wanted the derby there.

“Having analysed recent statistics in terms of gate revenue at BNS and our expected expenditure, it shows that we would spend more.

“Looking at our financial position, we would rather play the match here [at Kamuzu Stadium],” he said.

Wanderers main supporters committee chairperson Melvin Nkunika said considering the issue of expenses, they understood the executive committee’s stand.

“It is not that we were avoiding facing Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium. The suggestion came from our colleagues in the Central Region who said it has been a while since they watched the Blantyre derby in Lilongwe.

“Apart from the issue of finances, we also looked at the logistics since it would have meant the team returning to Blantyre from Mzuzu this weekend and then starting off again for Lilongwe which could been wearisome,” he said.

Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga yesterday said they had a meeting with their Nomads counterpart on Thursday where it was resolved that the derby should be played in Blantyre.

The Nomads have not beaten Bullets in league matches for the past seven years and the last time they did it was on July 1 2012.

The first round encounter ended goalless.

The Nomads have 40 points from 18 matches, two ahead of Bullets.