Chigoga: We are ready to host the International Bonanza
By Antony Isaiah Jr………..
All is set for the 2023 pre-season International Bonanza that is being hosted by the TNM Super League and FDH Bank Cup Champions, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets as the organisers of the tournament anticipate a remarkable event.
The Bonanza which has gathered four teams [two from Malawi and two from Mozambique] will start on Friday, March 3, 2023.
In Malawi, the hosts, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Airtel Top-8 Cup Champions will participate in the tournament while Mozambique will be represented by Champions, UD Songo and Ferroviario De Nampula that finished third in the 2022 Moçambola Liga.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Chief Administrative Officer, Albert Chigoga told the Club’s Media that everything [in terms of preparations] is in place just pending the day.
“We are very ready,” said Chigoga. “The two teams are arriving which confirms the fact that the level of preparedness is very good.
“In terms of technical panel, everything is moving in the right direction.
“In terms of what should expect, they should expect that they are going to have a Bonanza that has never been there because we have improved the organisation of this event over the years having done it two times before.”
Chogoga added that the selling of match tickets have been going well only that it was slow at the beginning.
He said, “In terms of ticketing selling, we started selling it two weeks ago and it was slower at the beginning but this week I think many people are flocking to buy so that they watch these games from 3rd to 5th March.”
Initially, the people’s team had invited Dynamos FC from Zimbabwe and UD Songo for the tournament before DeMbare barred from participating in the Bonanza due to FIFA ban that Zimbabwe Football Association is saving.
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) turned down an application for a licence to host the tournament after Bullets, included the Harare giants on the list of participating teams.
FAM competitions director Gomezgani Zakazaka said, “We cannot grant Bullets the license because of the inclusion of Zimbabwe team Dynamos.
“The Fifa ban applies to all national teams and local clubs. It even applies to school teams.
“That is why Zimbabwe teams cannot participate in club competitions.”
Dynamos could have been the second Zimbabwean club to feature in the tournament after Chicken Inn played in the inaugural edition in 2020.
The Gamecocks won that tournament after beating Bullets, Mighty Wanderers and Mozambican side UD Songo to finish top of the table with nine points.
The one-time Moçambola Liga winners, Ferroviario De Nampula won the tournament once but despite both Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers been participating in it, they are yet to take it home.
The hosts, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets face Ferroviario De Nampula in the opening fixture before Wanderers play against John Banda’s UD Songo on Friday.
Here is the full fixture:
Friday, 3rd March 2023
Ferroviário de Nampula vs FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at 12h00
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers vs UD Songo at 15h00
Saturday, 4th March 2023
UD Songo vs Ferroviário de Nampula at 12h00
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets vs Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at 15h00
Sunday, 5th March 2023
Ferroviário de Nampula vs Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at 15h00
UD Songo vs FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at 15h00.
