Nomads, Bullets taunt each other

Big Bullets and their age-old rivals Mighty Wanderers have set the tone for Saturday’s K20 million (about $66 666) Standard Bank Trophy semi-final with mind games over who is under most pressure.

The Nation had asked both giants if they would ‘relocate’ for training to Lilongwe ahead of the clash at Silver Stadium.

Civo United and Silver Strikers meet in the other semi-final on Sunday at the same venue.

Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire on Tuesday branded Wanderers “as just like any other team that does not warrant special preparations. We will travel to Lilongwe any time.”

Mkandawire said Wanderers should be spending sleepless nights as they are desperate to win a silverware this season, “as football is about winning silverware and not about mere talking.”

“We have the Presidential Cup and the Carlsberg Charity Cup in our trophy cabinet, but there is nothing at Wanderers; hence, the pressure is on them. They are desperate to win something they can parade to their fans,” Mkandawire added.

In reaction, Wanderers general secretary David Kanyenda said Bullets must not deliberately forget that the Nomads scooped the Presidential Cup re-launch trophy after beating Silver Strikers.

“Pressure is on the hot favourites Bullets to prove that their first cup victory in a decade was not a fluke. We are the clear underdogs in this fixture. We are rather surprised that Bullets, who are hot favourites, are reluctant to play the game as soon as possible, claiming fatigue has caught up with their players,” Kanyenda argued.

“We know they have a deep squad and their coach once boasted that he can feature two teams. We are ready to play on any date and any venue determined by the organisers. Bullets must quit senseless mind games.”

Bullets then defeated Moyale Barracks 1-0 to lift the Presidential Cup. Bullets were earlier reported to have been asking to play the game next week and preferably in Blantyre.

Bullets beat Wanderers 1-0 to win the charity cup and atone for the 2-1 first round Super League defeat.