Bullets speak on Airtel Top 8 non-participation
Nyasa Big Bullets say their move not to appeal against the ban on taking part in the 2019 edition of the Airtel Top 8 was by design.
The People’s Team was commenting for the first time on their failure to appeal despite being given another chance by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) in January this year.
“After giving it a considerable amount of thought we decided not to appeal because the authorities had already made a stand.
“We felt that there would have been no point for us to appeal.
“Nevertheless, we are not bitter that we will not take part and we will support the tournament by following the matches,” he said.
Bullets were banned from taking part in this year’s tournament and fined K7.2 million by FAM for the ugly scenes that occurred during last year’s final against eventual champions Blue Eagles at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe which the Malawi Police Service side won 1-0 via a penalty converted by Stuart Mbunge which sparked protests from the red side of town.
The tournament kicks off this coming Saturday with Be Forward hosting Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre. The two sides will meet again in the second leg on May 14 at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.
The second quarter-final will see TN Stars hosting Karonga United in Kasungu on the same day. The two teams will clash in the return leg on May 4.
Kamuzu Barracks will host Masters Security at Dedza Stadium on April 28. They will meet again in the reverse fixture on May 14 in Dedza. Mzuni FC will host Civil Sporting in a first leg tie on May 5 in Mzuzu before meeting in the return leg on May 12 at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
