Silver warn BB ahead of Pamtsetse Nzika Bonanza
Smarting from a defeat by Nyasa Big Bullets in the NBS Bank Charity Shield, Silver Strikers have warned that they will avenge the loss when the two sides clash in Pamtsetse Nzika Bonanza in Lilongwe this weekend.
Four TNM Super League giants Silver, Bullets, Civil United and Mighty Wanderers will participate in the mini-tournament organised by Nzika Floods Response Team in partnership with TNM plc and NBS Bank plc to raise funds for the survivors of Tropical Cyclone Ana.
The bonanza’s fixtures show that Bullets will face Silver while Civo will date Wanderers on Saturday with the winners meeting on Sunday in the final at Bingu National Stadium.
Silver assistant coach McDonald Yobe said they might have struggled at Bullets’ home, Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, as the Bankers are not used to the artificial turf.
He said: “They beat us at their home ground. We have accepted. Let’s meet in Nzika Pamtsetse Bonanza in Lilongwe on a natural glass pitch. That’s where we will sort them out.”
Silver featured a full strength squad against Bullets, but were overwhelmed by the People’s Team whose line-up comprised up and coming players promoted from their reserves and new signings.
Yobe said they were working on the shortfalls noted during the match.
He said: “May be we were underrating them looking at their team which had youngsters. Otherwise, we played well, only that we didn’t create more scoring opportunities.”
Despite the victory over Silver, Bullets assistant coach Peter Mponda said they are not at their best ahead of the 2022 season.
He said: “We have played two preseason matches so far, losing to Sable Farming and the victory over Silver.
“We are not yet there and the Nzika Bonanza will be a good platform for us to prepare for the coming season.
“Actually, it’s good for us that we will be playing them away as it will show how good we are for such a challenge ahead of the season.”
Meanwhile, Wanderers have also set their sights on the Pamtsetse Nzika Bonanza to launch their 2022 season campaign after a disappointing 2021 trophy-less season.
Wanderers assistant coach Joseph Kamwendo said: “We had a very good preseason, looking at the time we had for preparations. We had the whole month of January to prepare.
“As we are approaching the start of the season, we feel we have done enough to say we are ready to go to Lilongwe to compete and not to participate. For us, it’s not just a mere four-team bonanza. To us, the season starts this weekend.”
The organisers of the bonanza are targeting to raise about K50 million from the two-day event.
Nzika team leader Gift Nankhuni said apart from the targeted amount they are also accepting anything in kind.
He said: “There is lot that the survivors of the Tropical Cyclone Ana need.
“Their homes were damaged. Schools were damaged. Their crops were washed away. We are accepting anything that can be donated to help them.”
