As FCB Nyasa Big Bullets continue gearing up for the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League against TP Mazembe at the Bingu National Stadium on 17 September, an update has been provided on the players who have been on the sidelines due to injuries.
Club media spoke to Heston Munthali on Friday and the assistant coach confirmed the good news on the fitness of four players who will be available for selection next week, among them Precious Sambani, Hassan Kajoke, Patrick Mwaungulu and Erick Kaonga.
Precious Sambani
The left-back was substituted in our 2-0 away win to Dragon FC in the CAF Champions League last month after suffering a groin injury. He missed the return leg at Bingu National Stadium and the 3-2 victory over Civil Service United in the TNM Super League.
Munthali disclosed that the vice-captain is back from rehabilitation and will be returning to full training on Monday to get him fully fit and ready for selection against TP Mazembe on Sunday.
Hassan Kajoke
The forward sustained a cut to his leg during our goalless draw away to Mafco FC and missed the next four games on his way to full recovery.
The 2020/21 TNM Super League Golden Boot winner is back on the training pitch fully and is likely to be available for selection for his first CAF Champions League match this season, having missed the two matches against Dragon FC.
Patrick Mwaungulu
The 21-year-old winger pulled his muscle during our hard-fought 3-2 victory over Civil Service United in which he scored the winning goal with three minutes left to play.
Even though he was included in the Flames’ squad for the Guinea match in the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying match, he excused himself to fully recover from the injury.
Mwaungulu has been working on getting to full fitness and is likely to be available for selection when the team travels to Lilongwe for the crucial CAF Champions League tie.
Eric Kaonga
The left-back suffered an injury in training a day before our match against Dragon FC in Lilongwe and went on to miss the tie against the Equatorial Guinea champions and our league game against Civil last week.
The good news is that he is back to full fitness and will also be available for selection next week.
Stanley Billiat
The winger is still recovering from a knee injury and will continue to be on the sidelines for a couple of weeks. He is currently doing rehab at Kuhes Sports Complex ahead of his return to fitness.
Mike Mkwate
The midfielder was ruled out for the rest of the season as he continues recovering from a tibiofibular fracture, which he sustained during the Castel Challenge Cup launch match against Silver Strikers in July.
Alick Lungu
The left wingback suffered a fracture to his leg during training after returning from the COSAFA Senior Challenge Tournament in South Africa.
Lungu will continue to be on the sidelines for the next three weeks and is expected to start his rehabilitation next week.
