Blantyre, Malawi, April 4: Nsazurwimo Ramadhan, a coach for Malawi torch-bearers in Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Champions League Big Bullets FC has declared that he will not continue training the team players until he is assured of his personal safety.
The Burundi born tactician made the declaration a day after three thugs one wielding a Machete chased him away at the venue of the team’s training, Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
He explained that as he was busy overseeing the training session three thugs believed to be Bullets fans arrived and he overhead one of the thugs shouting that Ramadhan was Kondie Msungama loyalist.
The Burundi born tactician made the declaration a day after three thugs one wielding a Machete chased him away at the venue of the team’s training, Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
He explained that as he was busy overseeing the training session three thugs believed to be Bullets fans arrived and he overhead one of the thugs shouting that Ramadhan was Kondie Msungama loyalist.
“I was overseeing the team’s training when three men came one had a Panga knife in his hand. Then one of them shouted that he is also on the side of Kondie [Msungama].They started chasing me.I had to literally run for my life,” Ramadhan explained.
Msungama was the club’s chairperson who resigned few days ago due fans amidst allegations of maladministration and neglecting the welfare of players who were reportedly to have stayed two months without monthly salaries.
Ramadhan said if the Bullets fans had problems with him continue coaching the team they should have done that diplomatically.
He added he did not owe his loyalty to an individual but to Bullets FC the entity that hired his services to coach the team.
“If they were not happy with me coaching Bullets they would have done that politely and I wouldn’t resist. If they want to fire me let them do so. Again, I was invited by Bullets not Kondie and I signed a two year deal,” he said.
He also disclosed that he had identified one of the thugs that had attacked him but he was ignorant of the remaining two accomplices.
Ramadhan hinted that if Bullets decides to fire him from his job he will seek legal opinion on how he proceeds as he is currently in the midst of a two year deal.
“I signed a two year contract with the Bullets. So if they have decided to drop me then I will seek a legal opinion on how I can proceed further,” he said.
He said the way the Bullets fans treated him had nothing to do either with the beautiful game or the welfare of team players but a blatant attempt on his life.
“If they are talking about the welfare of players, I am not the one responsible for that. They have the right people who deal with that matter.
I know this issue is now not about football but it has turned personal. They want one thing that is to take my life,” he said.
The attack on the coach came hard on the heels of another dramatic incident this week, when a group of Bullets fans led by their chief supporter, Stone Mwamadi stormed the club’s offices.
Mwamadi led mob reportedly seized office equipment, trophies, documents and unspecified amount of cash in foreign currency.
The action led to the arrest of Mwamadi and others but was released on police bail after Bullets players and some Board of Trustees members intervened in the matter.
Meanwhile, Ramadhan has appealed to Malawi police to provide him with personal security as his life was at stake.
“My life is at stake. Let us not talk about Sunday game [Bullets versus Al Hilal].But let us discuss the issue of my security. I need to be assured of security from the police. There are people out there after my life,” he said.
Msungama was the club’s chairperson who resigned few days ago due fans amidst allegations of maladministration and neglecting the welfare of players who were reportedly to have stayed two months without monthly salaries.
Ramadhan said if the Bullets fans had problems with him continue coaching the team they should have done that diplomatically.
He added he did not owe his loyalty to an individual but to Bullets FC the entity that hired his services to coach the team.
“If they were not happy with me coaching Bullets they would have done that politely and I wouldn’t resist. If they want to fire me let them do so. Again, I was invited by Bullets not Kondie and I signed a two year deal,” he said.
He also disclosed that he had identified one of the thugs that had attacked him but he was ignorant of the remaining two accomplices.
Ramadhan hinted that if Bullets decides to fire him from his job he will seek legal opinion on how he proceeds as he is currently in the midst of a two year deal.
“I signed a two year contract with the Bullets. So if they have decided to drop me then I will seek a legal opinion on how I can proceed further,” he said.
He said the way the Bullets fans treated him had nothing to do either with the beautiful game or the welfare of team players but a blatant attempt on his life.
“If they are talking about the welfare of players, I am not the one responsible for that. They have the right people who deal with that matter.
I know this issue is now not about football but it has turned personal. They want one thing that is to take my life,” he said.
The attack on the coach came hard on the heels of another dramatic incident this week, when a group of Bullets fans led by their chief supporter, Stone Mwamadi stormed the club’s offices.
Mwamadi led mob reportedly seized office equipment, trophies, documents and unspecified amount of cash in foreign currency.
The action led to the arrest of Mwamadi and others but was released on police bail after Bullets players and some Board of Trustees members intervened in the matter.
Meanwhile, Ramadhan has appealed to Malawi police to provide him with personal security as his life was at stake.
“My life is at stake. Let us not talk about Sunday game [Bullets versus Al Hilal].But let us discuss the issue of my security. I need to be assured of security from the police. There are people out there after my life,” he said.
By: Joel Chirwa
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