BB players defiant says fans cannot intimidate them
Big Bullets senior player James Chilapondwa has shrugged off their supporters’ intimidating tactics, saying the players cannot perform out of fear.
“If the team is struggling, what have the fans done to improve performance? Players and coaches cannot always be at the mercy of the fans. I have played for too long in Bullets under diverse supporters who understood that sometimes you lose,” he said.
Irate Bullets fans went berserk on Sunday after 1-3 TNM Super League loss to Silver, threatening to beat up goalkeeper Owen Chaima, Dalitso Sailesi and Chimango Kayira.
The trio, which needed police escort to leave the stadium after the team bus was whisked away to safety, is accused of sabotage. But Chilapondwa said the fans must concentrate on supporting from the terraces.
“If some players fixed the game, can the supporters disclose who paid them the money? The players being suspected were actually stand-out performers during the game. We have had an upper hand over Silver and it was simply their turn,” Chilapondwa said.
Defender Chikumbutso Kanyenda said he was not living in fear whereas on his Facebook wall dreadlocked George Nyirenda’s posting reading: “Mpira wafika pachiopsezo! Rasta wanyumwa! [Football is becoming risky. Rasta is shocked].”
Bullets chief supporter Geoffrey Mbalati yesterday admitted that it was frustrating for some fans paying K500 (about $1.25) and watch their team lose.
“But insulting the players and intimidating them is wrong. These are the very same players we praised not too long ago. If the fans have issues, let us meet and hear each other out. We will call for a meeting,” Mbalati explained.
Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire condemned some section of fans for “tarnishing the image of Bullets supporters. There is a lot of speculation regarding our players.”
