FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have decided against hosting their annual pre-season bonanza in favour of international friendlies.
Bullets Chief Administration Officer Albert Chigoga said organising the bonanza was not possible due to technical and logistical reasons.
Chigoga said the club was working on courting teams from neighbouring countries for some strength-testing matches.
“We are trying to get some teams for some friendly matches, be it within the country or outside. Once we identify a suitable team that we can play against, we will make it known to the public,” he said.
Football analyst Sherry Msuku described the development as a setback.
“The bonanza was a tool for players’ exposure. Facing foreign teams has always been helpful to the players as they get a feel of what international football is like. Our teams need more of such matches if they are to do well in the Caf Champions League.
“But all is not lost because Bullets are working day and night to identify a foreign team to play with. This will still benefit them quite a lot because their players will line up against foreign opponents. My only advice is that this time around they should not stick to the same teams that have been coming here for bonanza from Mozambique,” Msuku said.
The People’s Team has been hosting the bonanza for the past five years with their bitter rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and two foreign teams being invited.
Interestingly, foreign clubs have made the tourney theirs since inception with Bullets and Wanderers failing to win it.
Mozambican side Ferroviario de Nampula lifted the inaugural edition in 2019 with Zimbabwe’s Chicken Inn wining in 2020.
Bullets did not organize the three-day bonanza in 2021 and 2022.
Last year, UD Songo of Mozambique were winners after finishing with seven points followed by Wanderers.
Another Mozambican side Nampula finished third while Bullets anchored the four-team table.
