Pasuwa says Bullets gave Simba ‘too much respect’
Nyasa Big Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa attributed inexperince to his team’s 0-2 loss to Tanzania’s Simba SC in the CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.
The People’s Team lost the encounter 2-0 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday and have now switched focus to the return leg.
The Zimbabwean tactician was quoted by nyasabigbullets.com as having said: “It’s the first half of the game where we gave too much respect to our opposition and we were jittery, we couldn’t keep the ball for six seconds and we were giving them room to play from the back, pressing hard on us and made us chase.”
He also attributed the loss to lack of experience, having featured a predominantly youthful squad that was playing in the continental elite tournament for the first time.
The Zimbabwean tactician believes inexperience cost Bullets the game that featured four youngsters who were playing their first Champions League football.
“The inexperience of [some of] the boys maybe was the reason why the result didn’t go our way. Of course, we had some experienced players whom we thought would help the youngsters, but it was never meant to be our day,” he said.
Nevertheless, Pasuwa said they have not given up hope on the prospects of turning the tables in Dar es Salaam this weekend.
He said: “Not easy for us in Tanzania, but again, we saw how we played today. Every time we couldn’t attack and we sat too deep hence having spaces in between the lines where the opponents penetrated, but this is football and we have to throw everything, push for more and hope for the best in the return leg.”
Bullets legend and former coach Kinnah Phiri said in an interview that the People’s Team can turn the tables in Dar es Salaam.
He said: “It won’t be easy, but this is football. The secret will be to unsettle by scoring an early goal. I am sure with commitment, self-belief and dedication, they can turn the tables.”
Phiri guided the People’s Team to the group stages of the tournament in 2004 and along the way, they booted out giants Orlando Pirates of South Africa, Zanaco of Zambia and SC Villa of Uganda).
Some of the players in th 2004 squad included Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda and Fischer Kondowe, who are part of Pasuwa’s backroom staff.
Moses Phiri drew first blood for Simba before John Bocco struck the second.
