Scramble for Fisd players

• Big Bullets, Nomads, Silver make advances

Despite being relegated from the TNM Super League, some Fisd Wizards players have attracted the interest of big guns such as Big Bullets, Be Forward Wanderers and Silver Strikers.

Ironically, players such as goalkeeper Brightone Munthali and midfielder Levison Maganizo are being earmarked by all the three teams.

The predominantly youthful Wizards side, while finishing at the bottom of the table with 21 points, their vintage and classic displays have not gone unnoticed.

Wizards general secretary Ophman Kondowe yesterday confirmed the interest from all the three teams.

“Officially we have only been approached by Bullets who have expressed interest in Brightone [Munthali], Maganizo and Rafiq Namwera.

“Wanderers also made enquiries on Brightone, Maganizo and Ernest Tambe, but it was verbal and in absence of official communication, I cannot say anything,” said Kondowe.

He said the team’s management is yet to meet and discuss Bullets’ bid.

Bullets chairperson Sam Chilunga confirmed the development but said they were waiting for Wizards’ response.

The Nomads are reported to have made enquiries through their general secretary Mike Butao and team manager Steve Madeira.

Butao declined to comment on the matter, but Madeira said: “Yes, we have to go on the market and look for players who can add value to the team and we want to take advantage of Fisd’s relegation and speak to [their technical director] Peter [Mponda] and see if we can do business.

“Obviously, we also need to get his permission to speak could be interested. Personally, I am a big fan of Tambe and who wouldn’t love to have such kind of player in their team? Maganizo is equally good so too Brightone and they have age on their side.”to the players and see if they

Silver general secretary Fred Kalonga also confirmed interest in some of Wizards’ players, saying: “We have not approached them officially, but there are several players we are targeting and [Brightone] is indeed among the group.

“But again after our final league match on December 24, we are getting rid of excess baggage.”

Asked if the prospective departure of their key players will not affect their ambitions for a quick return in the Super League, Kondowe said they have enough back-up.

“We have a philosophy to nurture and develop talent and if there are opportunities elsewhere, we will not stand in their way.

“We had a squad of about 30 players and others on reserve and if we are going to sell some then it will not be more than six because we need to maintain the rhythm,” said Kondowe.

There are also reports that players from another relegated side Dedza Young Soccer such as Chisomo Mpachika are also being targeted, but the club’s GS Harold Mola said as at now, there is nothing official.

Wizards players are graduates from Surestream Academy where they spent two years being groomed into gems that they are today.

Some of them such as Tambe, Munthali and Maganizo have had stints with the Flames. n