Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Kalisto Pasuwa has provided an injury update while revealing that The People’s Team will be without Peter Banda and Ben Manyozo in Saturday’s TNM Super League clash against Moyale Barracks, as captain John Lanjesi is set for a possible return.
The duo missed training starting last week after sustaining injuries during Bullets’ 3-3 draw against Red Lions in a league match at home a fortnight ago.
Manyozo, who has been converted from defensive midfielder to central defense and played the entire game against the Zomba-based side, is set to miss out of action for a period of six weeks due to a navicular bone fracture following a stamp from an opponent on the left leg.
“He is currently in a plaster,” said Pasuwa while providing an update during an interview with Bullets Media at Blantyre Sports Club on Thursday.
The Zimbabwean coach, also revealed that one of his front-three, offensive midfielder Banda, is unavailable for selection against Moyale Barracks as he is fighting the Calf Muscle injury sustained in the same game.
“He sustained the injury towards the end of game [following a dangerous off-the-ball foul]. It’s a Calf Muscle injury that has kept him out of the training for two weeks now. His left leg has a swollen Calf Muscle and Muscle Contusion. He is currently doing very well, but he out for Saturday’s match,” added Pasuwa.
Youngster Stanley Billiat, who is yet to find his way on the squad list following his graduation from the reserve side, will have to wait further as he is also out for selection this weekend due to an illness. The 18-year-old has missed training since Wednesday, a week after joining the rest of the squad following his return from South Africa where he was with the Malawi U-20 national team for the 2020 Cosafa Youth Championship.
The coach further disclosed that captain John Lanjesi and his vice Chimango Kayira are back in full time training, but was quick to reveal that only the defender has a chance of playing against Red Lions.
“In John, the doctors have handed him over to us and in terms of fitness, he is doing quite well. He has been going in all the drills where he was getting into duels and he is improving, but he is still being assessed by the physiotherapist twice a day and for now we can use him for 15 to 20 minutes,” shared Pasuwa.
Lanjesi has been out for over a year following a knee injury he sustained early last season.
Commenting on Kayira’s return to training, the coach explained: “He is still not yet there, but in a week time or two, he will be ready to go. He is training, but we are always cautious about the way we handle him and that’s the reason why he is being stopped to contest in some of our training sessions to avoid losing him again. He is an important player and we need him and we are glad that he is doing okay.”
Bullets also have Righteous Banda on the injury list. The midfielder is currently undergoing rehabilitation following a knee injury.
The TNM Super League defending champions have had a mixed start to the season with one win, two draws and one defeat, which has seen them collecting five points from the possible 12.
