FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are back in the Capital City for another important assignment in the TNM Super League against Kamuzu Barracks at Civo Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
This match six days after Kalisto Pasuwa’s men gave away a second-half lead to draw 1-1 against Creck Sporting Club at the same venue last Sunday.
Facing the second-placed military side this afternoon presents another ultimate test for the defending champions, who are struggling for all the points. Bullets last won a match on 18 May.
Saturday’s tie away to KB promises to be an exciting fixture worthy of its billing because it’s always a cracking match when these two teams meet. As Bullets will be looking to move into the Top 4, the home side will be fighting to maintain their second position in the standings.
FORM GUIDE
Three wins, six draws and one loss are not what Bullets anticipated starting the 2024 campaign as they chase a sixth successive title. But, that’s exactly what the defending champions have recorded, sitting 11 points behind the log leaders, Silver Strikers.
Pasuwa’s men have had a bad start to their title defence for the first time in seven years, registering more draws than wins in the opening period of the season.
Our recent 1-all draw away to TNM Super League newcomers Creck Sporting Club signified how we continue struggling for positive results despite creating plenty of goal-scoring opportunities.
The most unfortunate part is that in the last three matches, our opponents have had only a shot at goal to pounce on us despite Maule having more attempts on target.
Still, there is optimism from Pasuwa, who believes it’s just a matter of time before we find our feet again in the title chase.
This term, Bullets have recorded wins over Chitipa United, Baka City and Mzuzu City Hammers, drawing against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, Moyale Barracks, Mafco FC, Mighty Tigers, Creck Sporting and Dedza Dynamos, losing to Silver Strikers, a team coached by our former player and assistant coach, Peter Mponda.
Pasuwa’s men have scored 11 goals, conceding six and failing to find the back of the net in three matches against Tigers, Moyale and Silver.
As for our Saturday opponents, they are having a good season, winning five games so far, while drawing four times and losing once, scoring 13 goals and conceding five.
Their recent match against Baka City ended goalless away at Karonga Stadium on Monday to take their tally to 19 points in ten games.
KB have Zeliat Nkhoma who has eight goals in the current season, making him one of the most dangerous strikers for the Yellow Submarines and is enjoying his form. He will be the man to watch for Pasuwa’s charges.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Bullets have an excellent file in opposition to Kamuzu Barracks. We have gained 20 points from our last eight meetings.
In the 2022 campaign, The People’s Team collected four out of the possible six points after winning the first-round match 1-0 in Lilongwe through a late strike from Babatunde Adepoju, before playing out to a 1-all draw at Kamuzu Stadium in the reverse fixture.
The previous season Bullets claimed a double over Alick Chirwa’s side, beating them 3-1 and 3-0 at home and away, respectively, with the final game officially crowing The People’s Team winners of the championship that term.
It was only in 2019 when KB got the better of the defending champions with a narrow 1-0 win through Ndaona Daisi’s strike in a match dominated by Bullets, only that we were not clinical enough that day.
Last season, the first round ended goalless, but Bullets got the better of the opposition in the second round when we came from behind to beat KB 3-2 courtesy of Lanjesi Nkhoma’s brace and a strike from Maxwell Phodo. They scored their two goals through Olson Kanjira.
Saturday’s tie will not be easy for Pasuwa’s charges as their opponents are enjoying form and are intrinsically motivated to do well and push Silver to the limits in the title race. There is no better opportunity for KB to attest their intentions when they face the 2023 quadruple winners, who are not at their level best at the moment.
TEAM NEWS
Clyde Senaji is the latest to join the long list of injured players after he limped off in our last outing against Creck Sporting last week.
The Kenyan defender is the only player unavailable from the squad that drew 1-1 against Creck.
KICK-OFF TIME AND HOW TO WATCH THE MATCH
The game is scheduled for 14h30 and will be streamed live on FIFA+. You can also catch all the match updates on our Facebook and X (Twitter) channels.
MATCH OFFICIALS
David Chinoko will be in charge of our second game this season after he officiated our TNM Super League tie against Chitipa United away in Karonga.
Referee: David Chinoko
Assistant 1: Samuel Fudzulani
Assistant 2: Clement Kamwendo
Fourth Official: Jimmy Phiri
Match Assessor: Duncan Lengani
