Football fans in Zomba will have to dig deeper in their pockets to watch the TNM Super League encounter between Red Lions and Bullets at Zomba Community Centre ground on Sunday.
Open terraces have been pegged at K200 whereas covered stands will fetch K500.
Lions team manager Alexander Saka said on Wednesday they had to follow the trend of hiking gate charges for high-profile matches.
“It has been the norm this season for teams to hike gate charges of specific games. We hope to get more money because it has been expensive on our part to operate due to the economic hardships,” said Saka.
He appealed to their supporters in the old capital to come and cheer the team.
Said Saka: “We definitely need to collect maximum points against Bullets on Sunday to keep the pot boiling throughout the first round. We are still unbeaten and we know that every team will come hard on us.”
On the other hand, Bullets will go into the game without their young talisman Gabadini Mhango who will be serving a red card suspension.
However, their coach Eddington Ng’onamo said they have a ready replacement for Gabadini.
“The players know the importance of winning this game to keep the momentum going. They are also aware of stepping their feet in the lion’s den, but I am sure we will come out unscathed,” he said.
Bullets will bank on the services of veteran striker Heston Munthali and Divason Mlozi whereas James Chilapondwa and Chimango Kaira will keep the supply lines open in midfield.
The soldiers have talent in striker Bonface Kaulesi, who has five goals to his credit from the six games his team has played so far.
