TNM Super League champions FCB Nyasa Bullets strikers have been firing blanks for the past two months, a situation that has left their coach Kallisto Pasuwa worried.
The last time the People’s Team’s striker scored was on April 27 when Bullets beat Baka FC 2-1 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre when Ephraim Kondowe was on target while midfielder Chawanangwa Gumbo netted the other goal.
So far, the only strikers that have found the back of the net are Kondowe with three goals and Babatunde Adepoju with one goal.
Lanjesi Nkhoma, Anthony Mfune and Hassan Kajoke have been firing blanks since the 2024 campaign started whereas injured Maxwell Gasten Phodo has missed the action.
Kondowe, who is currently sidelined due to an injury, was also on target when Bullets beat Chitipa United 3-0 with the other goals coming from striker Adepoju and midfielder Patrick Mwaungulu.
With Kondowe and Phodo sidelined, Bullets have relied on Mwaungulu who is now their top scorer with five goals.
The Democratic Republic of Congo-bound midfielder has scored some crucial goals for Bullets, including in their last victory in the league when they beat Mzuzu City Hammers 2-0 at Mzuzu Stadium on May 18.
He also came to the team’s rescue in one-all draws against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, Mafco and Civil Service United and more recently against Creck Sporting Club on Sunday.
In a post-match interview after their latest draw against Creck, Pasuwa said his strikers are losing confidence.
He said: “We still have to do more on how to hit the net. We are having these scoring chances, but we are not scoring. It’s only one boy [Mwaungulu], who is scoring. We need everyone to be scoring. It’s homework for us to go back and do our corrections.”
The Zimbabwean tactician also attributed the goal drought to the absence of Phodo and Kondowe.
Said Pasuwa: “These are the players who were scoring before injuries, but we are not saying these are the only guys who are supposed to be scoring.
“Remember, I said the 4-3-3 formation we play is very flexible where everyone should be in that net in order for us to score, but what I am seeing now in our boys is confidence that is lacking.
“Remember they have been missing and losing games at times. So they are now running away from that responsibility.”
On his part, Bullets’ strikers coach Heston Munthali said the forwards are shy when in front of goal.
He said: “It’s a big problem. The chances are there, but the players are shy when in front of the goal. But we will do our job to ensure goals start coming in the next match.”
