Big bullets want more time on reserve side
Noyasa Manufacturing Company has asked Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) for a 14-day period to decide on whether Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve will take up their slot in the TNM Super League.
Bullets Reserve qualified for the top flight league after winning the Southern Region Football League Premier Division title for the 2021 season.
Bullets officials kept insisting during several interviews with the media that the team would not take up the elite league slot as it was only meant to be a feeder side to the main team.
It was also reported that the People’s Team had intentions to sell off the slot to a willing buyer, subject to a decision by their board of directors.
SRFA immediately shot down the suggestion and wrote Bullets to officially communicate their position on the matter.
The association’s chairperson Raphael Humba said Bullets had asked for the two-week period to state their final decision on the matter.
“Bullets have responded to our letter, asking for two weeks to make their final position known. We have since written Fam [Football Association of Malawi] for guidance. The matter is taking long to be finalised. We would have loved to dispose of it as soon as we can,” Humba said.
He said in view of the present scenario, SRFA will meet to review rules and regulations governing promotion of teams to the top flight league.
“I do not know of any league anywhere in the world where reserve teams get promoted to top flight leagues. Time has now come for us to change some of our rules. We have to do something about this. If anything, our reserve sides should have their own league,” Humba said.
Bullets Chief Administration Officer Albert Chigoga confirmed having asked for more time on the matter.
“It is in the interest of our club’s leadership to see to it that the right decision is made on the matter. This decision will benefit the club, players and the league organisers.
“We do not want to rush into making a decision on this matter. We are still exploring ways of coming up with the best decision,” Chigoga said.
Fam Transfer Matching Systems Officer Casper Jangale asked for more time to comment on the matter.
“We do not have any problems with Bullets asking for more time, to make their position known. At the same time it is also important not to rush. We will have to sit down and make a proper analysis of the matter. So give us more time,” Jangale said.
Bullets Reserve have been SRFA champions for the past three seasons but it was the runners-up who earned promotion.
This was because Bullets decided against having two teams in the Super League.
Bullets wrapped up the 2021 season with a 3-1 thumping of Sable Farming at Fam’s Mpira Stadium in Blantyre.
Sable finished second in the league and have expressed interest in joining the elite league.
Peter Fote is a Sports Journalist with huge experience in radio and Television reporting, production and presentation. He once worked with Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and is currently working for Times Media Group.
