FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach has provided the latest update on his squad ahead of Saturday afternoon’s CAF Champions League tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo champions TP Mazembe.
The People’s Team will be away to The Ravens in the return leg of the second preliminary round at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi from 15h00.
Bullets arrived in Lubumbashi on Friday morning with some of Pasuwa’s players not part of the trip due to injuries as some members have joined the team away in DRC following their recovery after being on the sidelines for a couple of weeks.
Peter Banda and Maxwell Phodo, who missed the home tie at the Bingu National Stadium on 17 September, are part of the squad that has travelled, although the former Simba SC player will have to pass a late fitness test for him to be considered for selection on Saturday afternoon, alongside Ernest Petro.
“The team is okay, only Peter Banda and Ernest Petro whom we still need to see until tomorrow whether they can pass a late fitness test, but all the other guys are looking ready to go,” Pasuwa provided an update during his pre-match press conference in Lubumbashi ahead of tomorrow’s tie.
Precious Phiri, who missed our two previous domestic ties in the TNM Super League against his former club Mighty Tigers as well as the FDH Bank Cup against Dedza Dynamos, is also back.
Yamikani Fodya, who was on suspension due to a red card he picked in our first preliminary round 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea champions Dragon FC at Bingu National Stadium, is also back for the continental competition and available for selection tomorrow.
Blessing Mpokera and Stanley Billiat remain on the sidelines as they continue light training ahead of their return to full fitness, while Alick Lungu started his rehabilitation after being out for several months.
Before leaving Blantyre, the head coach told club media on Thursday: “Alick is no longer in POP but he is still doing his rehabilitation with the assistance of our medical team. He is undergoing physical training at Kuhes ahead of his full recovery to join the team. We are hoping to have him back in the next few weeks.”
Bullets are in DRC looking to turn the tables and overturn the 1-0 goal deficit and hope to advance to the group stages of the CAF Champions League.
The People’s Team reached this stage of the continental competition following a 3-0 victory on aggregate over Dragon FC.
