Big Bullets get KB’s stern test

FCB Nyasa Bullets host Kamuzu Barracks (KB) in a TNM Super League match at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre this afternoon fully aware that they have failed to beat the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) outfit in their last two encounters.

The first round encounter ended goalless at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe as both sides failed to unlock each other’s defence.

In the 2022 TNM Super League season, the first round encounter ended in favour of Bullets with a narrow 1-0 victory. But the two sides shared spoils in the second round.

However, KB assistant coach Ted Kalinda said this does not mean anything to them going into this afternoon’s match.

He said: “What happened in the past is in the past. We are here to just do our best and collect full points.”

KB are coming from a 2-0 victory over Red Lions in the league, but were booted out of the Airtel Top 8 on away goals rule after a one-all aggregate draw against fellow MDF side Mafco FC in the quarter-finals.

Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa said he is aware that KB have always been a hard nut to crack.

KB face Bullets at a time Pasuwa is haunted by injuries sustained while competing in three competitions; the league, Castel Challenge Cup and Airtel Top 8 and has resorted to rotating players to allow them to recover.

The Zimbabwean tactician has also resorted to early goals and taking the foot off the gas pedal later in the game.

This worked well in their last league match against Chitipa United as they scored two quick goals and went on to defend the goals to win 2-0.

“Remember we have been travelling a lot, so we wanted to start with high intensity so that we get an early goal and slow the pace down,” said Pasuwa.

The result eased the pressure off Bullets as they opened a three -point gap between them and second-placed rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.

However, Wanderers’ victory over Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar at the weekend means they are level again at 50 points and Bullets, though with two games in hand, need to win to reclaim the three-point lead.

But Pasuwa said he is not reading too much into the race.

“We are having injuries in each and every game. So, I am fully focusing on managing the players because we still have a long way to go before wrapping up the season,” he said.