Bullets optimistic of turning tables

FCB Nyasa Bullets believe they can defy the odds and cause an upset against TP Mazembe right in their fortress in Lubumbashi, Democratic  Republic of Congo, this afternoon in the second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

At stake is a slot in the group stages which goes with a whopping $700 000 (about K788.2 million) qualification fee.

The hosts go into this fixture with a spring in their step, having won the first leg 0-1 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe a fortnight ago.

But such is the beauty of football that it doesn’t always go according to script and Bullets are refusing to be swallowed by the might of their opponents, who have had the luxury of being crowned African club champions five times.

The People’s Team gaffer Kallisto Pasuwa said while the odds appear to swing in Mazembe’s favour, his charges are not in a cold sweat on the prospects of facing Les Corbeaux their Stade de Mazembe backyard, in front of an expected intimidating atmosphere.

Said the former Zimbabwe National Football Team and Dynamos FC coach: “As I said, it’s not going to be easy playing at their backyard, but we are prepared to fight.

“The focus has been on preparing the players psychologically so that they should be able to stand the heat when the temperature rises.

“They [Mazembe] scored here and we can do the same as long as we are composed and stick to our game plan.

“We saw how they [Mazembe] played [in the first leg] and how explosive they can be in attack. So, we have an idea of what to expect.”

In a post-match interview after the first leg, Pasuwa said only wonderkid Patrick Mwaungulu turned on a vintage show and he expects the rest to stand up and be counted if they are to stand the Lubumbashi was awarded.”

In its determination, the committee said it has suspended Nkhakananga for failing to control the match by allowing play to continue after blowing his whistle to stop play, continuing play without proper restart, allowing a goal from a dead ball and giving advantage by blowing a whistle.

However, Wanderers board secretary Chancy Gondwe said Nkhakananga deserved severe punishment.

He said: “What he did was very irresponsible and scandalous. That referee should be banned for the rest of his life.

“And what FAM has done is a mockery of justice in football administration.”

Meanwhile, Zuza Nyondo, who was the match assessor in the match between Karonga United and Chitipa United, has been suspended for four months for poor report writing while Deus Nyirongo, who was the centre referee for the same match, has been suspended for three months for failing to control the game.

Peter Jossam, who officiated the match between Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles, has also been suspended for three months for the same reasons.

Another referee Dave Chomnbo has been suspended for six months for poor knowledge and application of the laws of the game.