Nyasa Big Bullets playmaker, Mike Mkwate, will face disciplinary action for various incidents prior to the People’s Team’s 2-1 victory over rivals Be Forward Wanderers in the Airtel Top 8 semi-final match at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.
Mkwate was conspicuously missing from the first 11 and substitutes’ bench when Bullets pitched up against Wanderers.
Bullets Assistant Coach, Elia Kananji, Wednesday said they referred Mkwate’s issue to the team’s management for disciplinary action.
“I can’t go into details on the issue. Of course, the player did not cooperate after we released our first 11. He refused to be on the [substitutes’] bench. Thereafter, another incident happened and this could have sabotaged the team,” he said.
Kananji declined to comment further on the issue, saying Bullets Chief Executive Officer, Fleetwood Haiya, was better placed to explain in detail.
Haiya’s mobile phone could not be reached yesterday but he confirmed to MBC Radio 2 FM Wednesday that they will call Mkwate for a hearing.
Mkwate could not be reached for a comment.
A senior player for Bullets yesterday confirmed that Mkwate reacted angrily when Bullets coaches announced the starting 11 at Crown Hotel in Lilongwe prior to the match.
“He left for his room and came back after 10 minutes. This was not the first time he has behaved that way. It is bad for team unity. Some of us have, before, advised him that no player is bigger than a team and that he must be careful with Bullets fans because they can turn against any star if they are unhappy with behaviour,” the player said.
Recently, Mkwate extended by two-and-half years his contract with Bullets, tying him to the club until 2021.
Most football teams are affected by player-power. At the ongoing World Cup in Russia, Croatia’s Nikola Kalinic has been sent home after feigning a back injury when asked to come on during the game against Nigeria.
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