Bullets want their players exempted from Flames

FCB Nyasa Bullets say they want their players to be exempted from the Flames’ squad for the upcoming 2023 Afcon qualifier against Guinea  to concentrate on their next CAF Champions League assignment against TP Mazembe.

The TNM Super League defending champions, who qualified for the second preliminary round of the continental club competition after seeing off Equatorial Guinea’s Dragon FC 3-0 on aggregate, will host the Democratic Republic of Congo giants on September 15 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, just  six days after the Flames’ last Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) group D qualifier against the Syli Nationale.

Flames interim coach Patrick Mabedi has named a 30-player squad of locals and Bullets have contributed four players, namely Blessings Mpokera, Frank Willard, Lanjesi Nkhoma and Patrick Mwaungulu.

In an interview yesterday, Bullets chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda said they want the players exempted from the Flames camp as they also intend to go into camp in preparation for the match against the five-time continental club champions.

He said:  “We have received the letter from FAM requesting the release of our players for the camp in preparation for the match against Guinea.

“We request  the Flames coach to exempt our players, so that they can concentrate on the CAF Champions League qualifier against Mazembe. After all, it will just be for formality as the team is out of contetion. Let him use other players.

“Already, we are playing Civil Service United tomorrow [Wednesday] and I understand we are also playing FDH Bank semi-final on Sunday. Fatigue is creeping in. There is no time for recovery and our players risk injuries. This is too much.”

Bullets’ concerns come at a time injuries have deprived them  of key players, including Alick Lungu, Stanley Billiat, Mike Mkwate, Hassan Kajoke, Precious Sambani and Eric Kaonga while Yamikani Fodya is suspended after he was shown a red card in the second leg against Dragon FC.

Soccer analyst Charles Nyirenda said Bullets have a point since the match against Guinea is academic.

He said: “I mean, Bullets need their entire arsenal for this match. Let them have their players. After all it’s just four of them.”

However, FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said they expect all the players called into camp to report on Thursday.

“So far, we haven’t received any communication from Bullets regarding their players. So, being a game falling on Fifa international week, we expect all the clubs to release their players,” he said.

A statement from FAM said so far, 17 out of the 30 players have reported for camp.

“Dedza Dynamos striker Clement Nyondo, who was among those expected to arrive today, has not joined camp after picking any injury during his team’s Super League fixture against Red Lions on Sunday,” Zakazaka said.