Big Bullets flop on transfer targets

…as Maxi Bullets bang in more players

The local transfer market was shut down by Super League of Malawi (Sulom) at exactly 12 midnight on Tuesday with more than 65 players moving from one team to another. Well, Big Bullets fans were expecting some new faces to beef up their injury prone squad but only two players have been signed from Mzuzu United and Karonga United respectively.

Nyasa Big Bullets have missed out on their three top targets notably Yamikani Chester of Azam Tigers, Thuso Paipi from Wizards FC but on-loan at Silver Strikers and Lucky Malata who is remaining with four months in his current deal with the Central Bankers.

After losing Owen Chaima and Sankhani Mkandawire to Mbeya FC of Tanzania and Muhamad Sulumba to Polokwane City, Bullets had targeted the said players but failure to do negotiations with the parental clubs in time has cost them dearly as they were frustrated with hours remaining before the window was shut down by Sulom.

To avoid being put to task, the Noel Lipipa led executive committee only managed to bring Collens Nkhulambe and Maneno Nyoni from Mzuzu United and Karonga United respectively.

They were told to pay K5 million for Chester and were given a cold shoulder by Silver Strikers officials who were furious with Bullets for trying to disturb their cup final preparations.

As the window was shut last night, MTV Maxi Bullets managed to secure the signatures of Sparrow Msowoya, Patrick Gunde, Peter Nselema from Mighty Wanderers on loan, with former Dedza Young Soccer shot-stopper Carrington Misomali and Kaipa Hara joining the club as free agents.

The super league rookies have also managed to bring on board two Nigerians.

At Blue Eagles, George Chauya, Kingsley Kuwali and Samson Chipalanjira while Wizards FC roped in Bester Phiri from Wanderers, Francis Nkanda and Takondwa Majoni.

At Epac FC, Amadu Makawa, Josophat Kwalira and Yusuf Piano have all joined the club on loan while Frazer Menyani is now a Dwangwa United player from Max Bullets. Kamuzu Barracks have roped in Enock Likoswe and Robson Banda from Blue Eagles and Max Bullets respectively.

Be Forward Wanderers have also brought on board two Nigerian players but have released more players to other clubs on loan.

Sulom General Secretary Williams Banda says failure by the clubs to have their transfers sorted out in time has seen more clubs failing to secure their targets.

“The teams should have done the transfers in time to avoid missing out on their targets but they waited for the deadline day for them to start negotiations so it’s always difficult to buy your targets within the short period of time,” he said.

With the window shut, the second round is expected to resume this coming weekend.