Comedian Manganya has
stepped up the hype in the
countdown to Wednesday’s 2014
World Cup qualifier between the
Flames and Namibia’s Brave Warriors
at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre by pledging to pay for 100 fans at the
Open Stands. Manganya, whose real name is Michael
Usi, made the pledge after being
approached by some fans, including
the charismatic Raphael Nasimba. “I have done this because I am a
passionate soccer fan and I would like
to contribute in my own little way
towards the ambitious campaign to
qualify for World Cup. “I believe we have a good team that
can make it to Brazil, but lacks
resources and if we can join hands to
assist the team in different ways, I am
optimistic that they can make it. “So, when I was approached by
bwana Nasimba, I thought it wise to
donate K100 000 (about $250) which
is enough to pay for at least 100
supporters. “I am therefore appealing to fellow
Malawians to give the team the moral
support through cheering from start
to finish,” said Manganya. The actor said he has asked Nasimba
to organise fans from the country’s
football powerhouses—Big Bullets
and Mighty Wanderers. “Some people may ask why BB and
Wanderers only? It is because they
have a large following and they are
always vocal at football matches,” he
said. “We were hunting for such support
and when we approached Manganya,
he did not hesitate to assist us, saying
this is a national cause. “I will therefore get in touch with
supporters committee of both teams to
select 50 supporters each and then
we’ll give them the tickets tomorrow
[today] or Tuesday,” said Nasimba.