Civo raises game bonuses in survival bid: Karonga out for Bullets upset
The battle that has been unfolded in the 2016-2017 TNM Super League season is like no other we have witnessed before in recent years so too is the battle for relegation at the bottom of the table.
And the struggle for 14th placed government sponsored club and one of the longest existing clubs Civo United has never been seen in recent years.
They are in the relegation zone alongside 15th placed Karonga United and bottom placed MTV Max Bullets.
But in a bid to inspire and motivate the players to serve the team from shame, embarassment and the tragedy of being relegated to lower regional league since its formation, club Management through the Executive Committee have increased the amount of game bonusses the players gate for a win.
The players have been promised K25,000.00 each for a win up from previous K18,000.00.
Club Vice General Secretary Ronald Chiwaula confirmed the increment in an interview with State Broadcaster MBC on Friday.
Chiwaula said the players have been advised to take each and every game on their way as a cup final if their dream to survive is to be accomplished.
“Each and every game coming, we are taking it as a cup final and take it from me, we will not relegated,” said Chiwaula.
Apart from raising the perks, Chiwaula also revealed that they have engaged former Civo legends for technical assistance among them former Flames international Peterkins Kaira.
“We have engaged former players to have a motivational talk with the players and they have done something I can’t talk now because it’s a secret. That is our winning formula,” said the Vice General Secretary.
Civo have had the worst season ever as they have struggled almost for the entire season.
This follows the firing of their coach Oscar Kaunda at the beginning of the season who won them a trophy before his axing but was restricted from coaching any super league due to Club Licencing Requirements-an initiative by the Football of Malawi (FAM).
One of the requirements Kaunda lacked was a CAF B Coaching Licence.
The Civil Servants later hired Millias Pofera Jegwe from Dedza Young Soccer who also had a bad spell only to be replaced by the reigning Charles Manda.
The team has played 24 games and only collected 21 points out of a possible 72.
In a related development, rookies Karonga United who are on 15th positions says they are invading Southern Region this weekend for nothing but victories.
They will face defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets on Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium before another tussle against Zomba based soldiers at the Zomba Community Centre Ground 24 hours later.
Bullets will be looking for a revenge following a narrow 1-0 humiliating defeat they suffered in the first round away in Mzuzu.
New coach Oscar Kaunda who has been hired to serve the team from the jaws of relegation says his charges are ready for the showdown.
“All preparations have gone on well and we are ready to meet Bullets. We are all in the same league, we have met before and we have nothing to fear” said Kaunda on Friday.
The former Civo United defence pillar is still optimistic that the Northern Region side can stay in the league.
“Our wish is that we remain in the league. The future still look bright to those who know football but to those who dont know football can rule us out,” said Kaunda.
The coach dumped Zolozolo FC to jump into the sinking ship after guiding the Northern Region Football League (NRFL) side to the quarterfinals of the newly introduced K45 Fisd Challenge Cup.
Unfortunately, the team never reached that far after being massacred 8-0 by Carlsberg Cup reigning champions Mighty Be Forward Wanderers.
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