By Williams Gondwa & Mabvuto Kambuwe:
Domestic football powerhouse FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are in a tight spot on whether to host this year’s pre-season international bonanza after the team has been invited to Zimbabwe for a similar tournament.
Last year, Bullets hosted the annual pre-season bonanza, which attracted their rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, UD Songo and Ferroviario de Nampula from Mozambique.
Bullets Chief Administration Officer Albert Chigoga confirmed the development.
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“It is highly likely that we will participate in the inter-club pre-season tournament to be held in Zimbabwe. We are waiting for the official communication from the organisers to inform whether to proceed with our usual pre-season bonanza plans or shift our focus to the tournament in Zimbabwe,’’ Chigoga said.
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However, Chigoga said details of the tournament in Zimbabwe will be shared at an appropriate time.
The Bullets annual pre-season international bonanza was launched in 2019 but was not held in 2020 due to Covid.
Bullets use the tournament as part of preparations for Caf Champions League.
After winning a quadruple in the just ended season, Bullets are hoping to transform their domestic dominance into this year’s continental showpiece.
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However, since 2021, Bullets have been the sole Malawi representative in the continental competition after fellow giants Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers failed to take part.
Bullets are sponsored by First Capital Bank (FCB) to the tune of K525 million for a period of three years—translating to K175 million per year.
Sports analyst Sherry Msuku said the pre-season tournament is important.
“It helps the teams to prepare for the upcoming season. For Bullets, they also learn a lot as they participate in Caf Champions League,’’ Msuku said.
Last year, Bullets exited the Caf Champions League in the second preliminary round, having lost 5-0 on goal aggregate to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) giants TP Mazembe.
In the first round, they beat Dragon FC from Equatorial Guinea 3-0 on aggregate.
Bullets have already bolstered their squad with three players namely striker Babatunde Adepoju, midfielder Lyon Aaron and goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu as they prepare for the 2024 Caf Champions League.
Last year, Mozambique side UD Songo were crowned champions with seven points from three matches.
Wanderers finished second with five points.
