FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are back at Kamuzu Stadium welcoming Mzuzu City Hammers in the TNM Super League this afternoon.
It’s a must-win game for the defending champions, who are six points behind the current log leaders, Silver Strikers, who will host Mighty Mukuru Wanderers on Sunday in Lilongwe.
A win will see the 2023 quadruple winners keeping pace in the title race having started poorly to their title defence, recording four draws and two wins in six matches.
This afternoon Bullets have to overcome a side enjoying a good run of form as the visitors are sitting second on the log table, just three points behind Silver.
FORM GUIDE
Our journey to the title defence started with a 1-all draw away to Dedza Dynamos before playing out to a goalless draw against Mighty Tigers.
Kalisto Pasuwa’s men registered the first win of the season away to Chitipa United with a convincing 3-0 win before beating Baka City 2-1 at Kamuzu.
For the two consecutive matches, Bullets played out to 1-all draws against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Mafco FC to drop further down in the log table where we sit fifth with 10 points.
This is our worst start to a league campaign since 2017 when we also collected 10 points after six games.
Our opponents started their campaign with a 1-0 win over Civil Service United courtesy of a strike from Isaac Msiska before beating Baka City 2-1 in Matchweek 2 of this campaign through another goal from Msiska and another strike from Yasin Rashid.
In the third week, they lost 1-0 away to Mighty Tigers at the Kamuzu Stadium.
They proceeded to Lilongwe where they bounced back with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Creck Sporting Club. Once again, Msiska was on target for the Hammers, with the other goal coming from our former left-back, Eric Kaonga.
Their next assignment was against Moyale Barracks in the Mzuzu derby, which ended 1-1. Hammers scored their goal through Isaiah Nyirenda, while Khumbo Mhone scored for the soldiers.
Before facing us this afternoon, Hammers beat Kamuzu Barracks 1-0 to move second in the standings.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since earning promotion to the TNM Super League, we have played the Hammers seven times. We have recorded six wins and drawn once.
The last victory over this afternoon’s opposition at Kamuzu Stadium in the TNM Super League was in June last year when we hammered them 4-1 courtesy of a strike each from Hassan Kajoke, Lanjesi Nkhoma, Anthony Mfune and Patrick Mwaungulu. Gomezgani Chirwa scored into his net to give them a consolation goal.
The reverse fixture in the 2023 campaign ended 1-1 at Rumphi Stadium. We also faced them in December in the quarterfinals of the Castel Challenge Cup in which we thumped the Hammers 4-0.
However, they are currently in top form and should come to Kamuzu Stadium with confidence as Pasuwa’s side is currently struggling with injuries that have resulted in a lack of coordination as the coach is being forced to use different players in every match.
TEAM NEWS
Midfielder Ernest Petro is the only returnee who missed our last game against Mafco, but defender Clyde Senaji hasn’t recovered from his fractured nose and will still be out of this game. Chikumbutso Salima and Ephraim Kondowe also remain on the sidelines nursing injuries.
HOW TO WATCH THE MATCH
You can catch the action on MBC TV or stream it on FIFA+ and match updates will be provided on our Facebook and Twitter Channels.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mwayi Msungama
Assistant 1: Henry Bello
Assistant 2: Fanuel Miles
Fourth Official: Micheal Mwambyale
Match Assessor: Paul Mhango
