Nomads fear low turnout for Silver game

Mighty Wanderers have expressed fear that Saturday’s 2014 World Cup qualifier between the Flames and Nigeria at Kamuzu Stadium could affect the turnout for their TNM Super League match against Silver Strikers on Sunday at the same venue.

Nomads general secretary David Kanyenda said the fear comes because the fans would have paid more to watch the international game.

“We wonder why Sulom have fixed our game against Silver on Sunday. We fear a low turnout because the fans would have paid K750 to watch the international game and it will be difficult for them to raise an additional K200 ($0.80) for Sunday’s game.

“Besides, there are strong possibilities that the fans might save the other international [2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier] against Chad.

“The other factor is that our game could be overshadowed in terms of marketing since the focus is on the Flames game, as a result, we won’t make as much money,” said Kanyenda.

He suggested that the best time for their game against the Bankers would have been on July 1, after the Chad game.

“If the game was played end of the month, we would all collect substantial amounts. The timing is poor from a commercial perspective,” said Kanyenda.

Sulom general secretary Williams Banda defended the move, saying it will be a litmus test of the Nomads’ marketing strategy.

“Let them prove that nyerere [Nomads] fans will always be there for their team, no matter what.

“Fixtures are never negotiated unless in case of an emergency. So, in as far as we are concerned, the game is on this Sunday,” said Banda.