Kalisto Pasuwa was frustrated by FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ complacency during our 3-1 win over Karonga United at Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
The outgoing TNM Super League champions had plenty of chances but kept on missing important ones before scoring three goals to win the match.
Bullets gifted the visitors their goal as they opened the scoring early in the half through Nickson Nyasulu’s own goal as he attempted to pass the ball to goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu.
In his post-match reaction, Pasuwa couldn’t hide his disappointment in how casual his players were throughout the match.
“I think I explained this to the players before the match and expected them to take the game seriously. We told them we needed to play with positivity, and you could see the way they were complacent. And even our setup, instead of attacking, we ended up passing backwards until the opposition pressed us into our half.
“This means we were relaxed, saying the games are over, but as a professional player, you also need to take every game that comes in front of you seriously. But again, in the second half, we came good, and we got the goals coming,” he shared his thoughts.
Commenting on the impact of his half-time substitutes, the tactician said they performed according to the instructions.
Pasuwa brought in Kenneth Pasuwa, Ephraim Kondowe and Stanley Billiat for Phodo, Nickson Nyasulu, and Chawanangwa Gumbo.
“They played well, and according to the instructions. You see, like I said, these are some of the guys who haven’t been playing games, so giving them a game in such a situation made them also be part of us, and they pushed us as we ended up winning the game,” he explained.
The gaffer, who won a precedent quadruple last season, also hailed the importance of the win as his side is still in the hunt for another silverware in the name of the Castel Challenge Cup.
“It’s good to keep on winning, and it’s also good to keep these guys fit and also to be positive. One should be used to winning. Remember last time we were losing games, drawing unnecessarily, and this had gone into their minds, now it’s the mental part that we still need to work on to say that in every game that comes in front of us, we need to take points,” said Pasuwa.
For the second time this season, Bullets missed a penalty through Babatunde Adepoju, who also failed to convert another spot-kick during our draw against Dedza Dynamos.
When asked who the penalty taker at Bullets is, Pasuwa said: “Everyone can take penalties, but it’s the confidence on the day for one to say I am taking the penalty. If you saw, or even these players who came in, they are good penalty takers, but if they say Babatunde should take one or two, Baba will step up.
“If they agree to see Nickson taking one today, the defender would step up. As coaches, we could also say Babatunde is the one who is supposed to take penalties, but again, on the day of the game, he might not have the confidence, and he might end up giving number two to take the responsibility of taking up the penalty.”
