Bullets storm Lusaka, ready
FCB Nyasa Bullets are in Lusaka, Zambia for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League preliminary second leg against Red Arrows tomorrow at National Heroes Stadium.
The TNM Super League champions, who march into the second leg having won the first tie 2-1 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, also got a morale boost after reaching the FDH Bank Cup final following a classy performance on Wednesday in their 3-1 victory over Moyale Barracks at the same venue.
However, before flying to Lusaka yesterday morning, the People’s Team coach Kallisto Pasuwa said he was not amused with Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for giving them a fixture, three days before the CAF Champions League second leg.
He said: “We are playing CAF Champions League and I think it is one crucial tournament that we need to respect.
“As you know, we are coming from another game that we played in three days’ time [in the CAF Champions League first leg].
“I have been complaining of injuries in my camp. I played in three days’ time and I lost some players again to injuries. I’m supposed to be playing Champions League on Saturday.”
Bullets will miss Chikumbutso Salima, defender Collin Mujuru and left back Crispin Mapemba, Ernest Petro, Alick Lungu, Mike Mkwate, Clever Mkungula, Yankho Singo and Clyde Senaji due to injuries.
“Some of these are regulars that played in that Champions League first leg. We are not a team like Sundowns where they can field three teams in one go. We are a small team that is coming up. So we need, we need each and every player, our best players to be around,” said Pasuwa.
While Bullets were playing Moyale, their opponents Red Arrows were resting since their MTN Super League fixture against Power Dynamos scheduled for Wednesday was postponed.
But FAM competitions and communication director Gomezgani Zakazaka justified the cup fixture, saying it is normal despite other FAs rescheduling matches of teams involved in the Champions League preliminary round.
Meanwhile, the hosts are plotting revenge on the People’s Team.
Red Arrows Football Club chief executive officer Kambani Lungu said they will turn the tables in Lusaka.
He said: “Yes, we had a bad day in office in our first leg but I wish to assure our people that the team is intact and will undo this setback in the second leg.
“We talked to the boys and technical bench encouraging them ahead of the second round. They understand this crucial task and everything possible will be done to ensure that the players rise to the challenge and this starts with preparations today.”
