FCB Nyasa Big Bullets started the pre-season testing matches on a high note with a comfortable 6-0 thrashing of Dzaleka-based Kalembelembe Stars at Champion Stadium in Mponela on Saturday afternoon.
The 2023 quadruple winners have been in the central township of Mponela for a week-long camp as part of our preparations for the 2024 season.
Kalisto Pasuwa’s men will face Kasungu’s Chatoloma Admarc on Sunday in the second training match before returning to Blantyre.
What happened
Pasuwa gave playing minutes to most of his players, including the latest recruits. They did not disappoint as they dominated throughout the match against a side that was also very much into the game.
It took half an hour for The People’s Team to break the deadlock after creating plenty of goal-scoring chances through Babatunde Adepoju, Chikumbutso Salima and Hassan Kajoke.
Kajoke tapped in from close range following a defensive relapse from the hosts and our no.9 made it 1-0.
After 31 minutes of play, Pasuwa brought in Ephraim Kondowe for Babatunde, who seemed struggling for match fitness throughout the opening minutes, and Sharifu Swadiki for Richard Chimbamba.
Kondowe’s introduction saw Bullets raising intensity. Five minutes after the two changes, Ernest Petro made it 2-0 after connecting Kajoke’s well-taken corner kick.
Kondowe registered his name on the score sheet two minutes before the break with a simple finish. The striker was at the receiving end of yet another brilliant cross from Salima to make it 3-0.
Kajoke doubled his tally with another simple tap-in, connecting well from Salima’s brilliant cross into the six-yard box, 4-0.
Bullets’ high pressing and passing football made it very difficult for the hosts to maintain their energy levels and were now losing possession in dangerous areas and were lucky to concede only four goals at the end of the opening period.
After the recess, Lanjesi Nkhoma, Lloyd Aaron, Anthony Mfune, Blessings Mpokera and Mathews Masamba came on to replace Kajoke, Kenneth Pasuwa, Petro and Yankho Singo.
Masamba was on target in the 58th minute, scoring from a rebound after Mfune’s attempt was blocked by the home side’s goalkeeper, 5-0.
Three minutes after the hour mark, Maxwell Phodo, Patrick Mwaungulu, Gomezgani Chirwa, Precious Sambani and Innocent Nyasulu replaced Yamikani Mologeni, Salima, Kondowe, Swadiki and Chrispin Mapemba.
Bullets scored the final goal in the 71st minute through Mfune’s thunderous shot outside the penalty area, 0-6.
There were few chances in the closing stages of the match as Mwaungulu, Phodo and Sambani all came close to finding the back of the net and it ended 6-0 in favour of the Malawi champions.
The head coach’s reaction
Pasuwa was left satisfied with his charges despite admitting that there was still a long way to go before Bullets reached their best level of fitness.
“We saw the way we were managing the game by giving the boys 45 minutes each, but they are still struggling in terms of intensity and this is something that we need to sort out before the commencement of the new season.
“I was also impressed with how the new players performed. They did well and I am very optimistic that by the time we start the new season, we will get the best out of them,” commented the 2023 Coach of the Season.
Bullets will open the 2024 season with the NBS Bank Charity Shield tie against Silver Strikers, who on Saturday defeated MAFCO FC 3-2 in their pre-season friendly match in Lilongwe.
