Nyasa Big Bullets have left Blantyre for the Northern Region where they will play Chitipa United in the quarterfinals of the FDH Bank Cup on Saturday at Rumphi Stadium.
The People’s Team is coming from a TNM Super League 3-3 draw in the Blantyre derby against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and will be hoping to bounce back eyeing a semifinal place for the first time in the competition that was introduced last season.
However, Kalisto Pasuwa has to do the job without several players who are on the sidelines due to injuries, among them goalkeeper Clever Mkungula and prolific attacker Patrick Mwaungulu.
Mkungula, who was between the sticks during the Blantyre derby, is expected to be out for a week after he suffered a knee injury during the match. Bullets medical team told club media that the 22-year-old should be expected to resume full-time training with the rest of the squad next week.
Mwaungulu, who was also part of the first XI that played Wanderers and scored the match’s second goal, sustained a knock before he was withdrawn for MacFallen Mgwira. However, there is good news as scans done on him show no further damages and will be able to resume next week.
Yankho Singo is another player on the injury list and the midfielder is expected to be on the sidelines for a period of six weeks after he fractured his tibia bone during Wednesday’s training session.
Ghanaian defender Isaac Badu is still recovering after pulling his muscle a week ago. The good news is that the 30-year-old has been doing individual training in the gym and is expected to join the rest of the team soon.
Captain John Lanjesi, who missed the Blantyre derby due to a groin injury, has travelled with the team to Rumphi and is expected to be available for selection against Chitipa on Saturday.