Nyasa Big Bullets will this weekend play their final two pre-season friendly matches against Kamuzu Barracks and MAFCO FC away in the central region.
On Saturday, The People’s Team will face Lilongwe based military side KB, before traveling to Dwangwa to take on newly-promoted Malawi Defence Force side from Salima, MAFCO, at Chitowe Ground 24 hours later.
Kalisto Pasuwa’s side will take on the two MDF teams few days after defeating Ntopwa FC 1-0 at Kamuzu Stadium on Tuesday.
Bullets are gearing up for the Charity Shield set for 21-22 November, before the start of the TNM Super League title defence a week later.
Before departure to the capital city Friday evening, Pasuwa said the two games will provide a good test for his charges.
Said the coach: “[These are] very important games. We are playing Kamuzu Barracks to test how our players are in terms of fitness. Remember it’s a military team and it will give us a good picture of how fit the boys are.
“And playing MAFCO will give us another good test, considering that they are coming from the Premier Division and their style of play is different from Super League football.”
Having lost Chimango Kayira and Righteous Banda due to knee injuries sustained during pre-season camp in Mangochi two weeks ago, Pasuwa also revealed that Dalitso Sailesi will not be available for the two upcoming friendly matches after pulling a muscle during training on Thursday.
“We will also play the two games without our players who are currently with the national team for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but we are looking forward to the games,” he said.
Bullets will start the new season with the four-team Charity Shield and will face rivals Be Forward Wanderers in the first semi-final on November 21. The other match will involve Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles. Winners of the two semis will face off in the finals on November 22.
The 2020/21 season, which was slated to kick off in March, was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
