Poor preps cost Bullets

 Nyasa Big Bullets have for the fourth consecutive time failed to go beyond the CAF Champion League preliminary round, prompting analyst to caution the TNM Super League champions to invest in preparations before entering the continental competition.

The sentiments follow the People’s Team’s 2-0 loss to Tanzania giants Simba Sporting Club on Sunday at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, eight days after they also lost by the same score line in the first leg at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, to bow out 4-0 on aggregate.

Just like in the first leg, Simba drew first blood through Zambian Moses Phiri, who also scored in the first leg, in the 30th minute before he completed a brace in the 50th minute of the match monitored on Azam Television.

Soccer analysts have said the results exposed Bullets’ poor preparations against their experienced and well-prepared opponents.

Soccer analyst Patrick Zgambo said Bullets were contented with their domestic performance and did not beef up their squad.

He said: “Simba SC played three international friendly matches against Asante Kotoko and Al Hilal of Sudan and AS Arta/Solar7 of Djibouti in preparation for the competitions. Who did Bullets play? None.”

“If you look at the Simba squad you can see the huge difference between the two clubs. They have players from across the continent.”

Some of the international players in Simba squad are Page Sacko from Senegal, Clatous Chama from Zambia, Joash Onyango from Kenya, Enock Enionga from Democratic Republic of Congo, Dejan Georgijevic from Serbia, Augustine Okra from Ghana, Sadio Kanoute from Mali, Muhammed Ouattara from Cote d’ivoire and Malawian Peter Banda.

Bullets, on the other hand, have Babatunde Adepoju from Nigeria.

Soccer marketing consultant and analyst Felix Sapao said Bullets needed to invest in the Champions League participation.

He said: “Beating Simba was a tall order. Simba’s budget was $5.7 million. Money buys quality. Bullets should have signed two or three international players and played international friendlies.”

However, the analysts have urged Bullets to continue participating in the competition to learn from the best teams on the continent.

Sapao said: “All I can say is, playing in CAF Champions League tells them what level they are.

“They should not give up. They should continue with CAF Champions League. It’s not easy. But they are the best team in Malawi and they need to play the best on the continent.”

Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said they have a learnt a lesson from the participation.

He said: “It’s sad that we are out in this fashion. It’s a worst campaign. Perhaps we lacked experience to compete at this level of African competition.

“Our lads will grow a thick skin from this having experienced real competition in CAF Champions League.” Last year, Bullets were knocked out by South Africa’s Amazulu while in 2020/21 they were booted out by Platinum FC of Zimbabwe and in 2019/20, they were shown the exit by Gor Mahia of Kenya