FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Kalisto Pasuwa says his charges were made to sweat for the convincing win over Civil Service United, especially in the first 20 minutes where the opposition was in total control of ball possession.
The People’s Team hammered their opponents 3-0 through Lanjesi Nkhoma, Maxwell Phodo and Hassan Kajoke’s strikes to advance to the last eight of the Castel Challenge Cup and will face Ekwendeni Hammers on Wednesday.
“The first 20 minutes saw us failing to regain possession, and they could have killed us because they were dominating. But as the game progressed, we settled down, and then we scored a goal. We took control of the proceedings until the second half, where we scored two more goals to win the game,” commented the Bullets head coach in a post-match interview.
“It was a game that we showed up for the party, and we delivered when it mattered most. That’s the positive part from the boys who gave everything to secure the important win.”
The tactician was also impressed with how his players performed against a very difficult opponent, saying his decision to rest the majority of his regular players during the round of 32 tie against Soche Socials paid off.
“If you can look at the boys, the majority of them last played on Sunday last week. I rested several players, and you have seen how they have played today. The energy levels were top-notch because they were fresh legs. In training, we didn’t do a lot, so the decision to rest them paid off. I like how they pressed from the first whistle to the last,” he added.
With Hammers visiting Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday, the gaffer anticipates a difficult game.
“As Bullets, we respect them. We faced them away from home [in the TNM Super League], and they gave us a torrid time. For them to be where they are [the quarter-finals], it means they are a good side, so we need to prepare well for this game,” said the Zimbabwean.
Bullets are eyeing a quadruple this season after already retaining the TNM Super League and the FDH Bank Cup. Pasuwa’s side is also in the Airtel Top 8 Cup final.
