Wizards lose bet
Betting firm, PremierBet has parted ways with Wizards FC following their relegation from the top-flight TNM Super League.
Confirming the development in an interview yesterday, the company’s sales manager Sam Chibambo said there was an agreement with the club that they would only sponsor them in the Super League.
“So, when the contract expired we affirmed our stand to Wizards management that we would not continue,” he said.
The development also comes amid fears over the future of the Peter Mponda-owned club whose products such as Brighton Munthali, Dennis Chembezi, Levison Maganizo and Rafiq Namwera are national team players.
Wizards were dubbed one of the most entertaining teams in the top-flight league before their relegation and for the past two seasons, topped the transfer market on the domestic scene with big guns such as Nyasa Big Bullets, Be Forward Wanderers and Silver Strikers scrambling for their players.
Mponda confirmed the development yesterday, saying they are currently hunting for a new sponsor.
“We have approached a number of potential sponsors and we are still knocking on some doors.
“For us to have realistic expectations of returning to the Super league, we need financial backing for our operations, including motivating the players,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wizards regrouped this week ahead of the Masters Security Services Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) League kick-off this weekend.
SRFA League follower Dan Tchemisi Makiyi said losing sponsorship could affect Wizards in terms of player motivation.
“Most of the teams in the lower leagues struggle financially because they have no proper sponsorship and those that have financial backing usually have an edge over the others as was the case with Wizards when they were sponsored by Surestream.
“So, yes it could affect them somehow but having had a stint in the lower league, they know what to expect which could help them plan properly,” he said.
Wizards were relegated after finishing third from the bottom in the Super League last season. n
