Head coach Wedson Nyirenda has provided the latest squad update ahead of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ Airtel Top 8 quarterfinal second-leg clash against Ekhaya at Mpira Stadium on Saturday.
Speaking during Thursday’s pre-match press conference, Nyirenda confirmed that forward Maxwell Phodo will miss Saturday’s fixture.
The forward picked up a knock during last weekend’s victory over Creck Sporting Club and was substituted before the end of the match.
“Phodo is also out, he’s not going to be part of this team because he’s just attending clinic.”
Nyirenda also confirmed striker George Chaomba has returned to full training after recovering from a knock and is available for selection.
Midfielder Paul Master remains unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation under the supervision of the club’s medical team. Chrispin Mapemba, meanwhile, continues his recovery after undergoing knee surgery in April.
Providing further details on his squad, Nyirenda said:
“We still have Paul Master on the clinical list and he is not yet back with the team.”
“Chaomba had a knock, but he’s back. On Wednesday he trained very well, yesterday he trained very well, today he trained very well and he’s in full force.”
“We also still have Chrispin Mapemba, who has been on the clinical list for a long time.”
Nyirenda also discussed the progress of Dastan Banda and Ahmad Kung’unde, revealing the technical panel is taking a cautious approach as the pair continue their recoveries.
“Dastan Banda and Ahmad Kung’unde are coming back from injuries and we are taking our time with them. We don’t want to force them back into action and then lose them again.”
“We have to be careful because if they return after a long lay-off and suffer another setback, they could lose all the progress they have made. We are still working with them so that when they come back, they are at the same level as the rest of the squad.”
Nyirenda added that their rehabilitation extends beyond physical recovery.
“It is all about their fitness levels, but it is also about their mental readiness as they work towards returning to full competition.”
Saturday’s quarterfinal decider comes too soon for Phodo, while Chaomba returns to contention after recovering from a knock. Bullets will continue to monitor the progress of Master, Mapemba, Banda and Kung’unde as they work towards full fitness.
