Big Bullets have issued a stern warning to their bitter rivals Mighty Wanderers following reports that they have been trying to coax some of their key players.
The Nomads are reported to be courting their former midfielder Henry ‘Magetsi’ Kabichi behind the scenes and, apparently, Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire also claims that they have made advances on their first-choice international goaltender Owen Chaima.
“We are aware that Wanderers are trying to make deliberate advances on our players, in particular their GS David Kanyenda. He started talking about Gabadinho [Mhango] and now we are reliably informed that he is talking about Kabichi and Chaima.
“Our position is that we do not want to get involved in any form of confrontation with them, but if they do that, then we’ll not hesitate to hit back. If anything, we are not ready to release or sell any of our players to them.
“We have been respecting them as a fellow big team, but if they do not want to reciprocate, then we are ready to hit back,” said Mkandawire on Wednesday.
However, Kanyenda on Wednesday claimed that he had also heard on the grapevine that Kabichi wants to return to Lali Lubani Road.
“I am very surprised because ‘Magetsi’ was not among our initial targets, but we have heard that he is interested to return home to Lali Lubani Road. As for Chaima, there is no truth whatsoever in the rumours because the goalkeepers that we are targeting are Bester Phiri [Mafco] and Ernest Kakhobwe [Bvumbwe Research],” said Kanyenda.
Asked if they would be willing to get Kabichi back on board, Kanyenda said: “Here is a prodigal son who wants to return home. So, why should we block him?”
The Nomads spokesperson confirmed that they are also interested to sign a number of new players in a bid to beef up their squad as they have serious plans to take part in a continental CAF tournament next year.
He said the development follows the departure of five key players, namely Joseph Kamwendo, Foster Namwela, Moses Chavula, Innocent Jere and Gerald Chimbaka to Mozambican clubs.
“Then, Gerald Phiri Jnr is also linked with a possible move to Zimbabwean top league side Caps United.
“We are on a serious rebuilding phase in our quest to take part in a CAF tournament and the only players that I can comfortably confirm our interest include Kondwani Lufeyo, ‘Scholes’ [Kondwani Kumwenda] [Azam Tigers]; Bernard Harawa, Jacob Ngwira [Escom United]; Phiri [Mafco]; Kakhobwe and Mayeso Mphanje [Bvumbwe Research], who have already started training,” he said.
Kanyenda also claimed that the Nomads are also interested in Civo’s international duo of Pilira Makupe and John Lanjesi; Blantyre United trio of Abraham Kamwendo; Tizgowere Kumwenda and Victor Limbani, and Silver Strikers diminutive forward Tony Chitsulo.
“But for these, there is nothing concrete because we are yet to formally approach their respective clubs.
He added: “We are not only looking at beefing up our playing squad but also the technical panel and the executive committee.”
To that effect, the Nomads are also reported to have approached Chiku Kalilombe, Dr. Mathews Mtumbuka and Henry Kuyeri to consider taking up various vacant executive committee positions, including that of first and second vice-chairpersons.
But, Kanyenda was quick to point out that Kalilombe’s name has since been struck off the list as he is a board member of Silver Strikers.
