FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are back at Kamuzu Stadium for a midweek clash against Kamuzu Barracks in Matchweek 27 of the 2023 TNM Super League campaign.
It’s been a busy period for Kalisto Pasuwa’s charges who on Wednesday afternoon will be having a sixth game across all competitions in 17 days.
The tie against KB comes 72 hours after defeating Chitipa United 2-0 to go back top of the standings on Saturday.
Kamuzu Barracks present yet another ultimate test for Bullets who are seeking a fifth successive league title and a win will reopen the three-point lead which rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers narrowed following a 1-0 victory over Dedza Dynamos on Sunday.
Bullets and the Nomads have 50 points but The People’s Team lead the table due to a better goal difference of 29 against 17, with the defending champions also having three games in hand.
Form Guide
Pasuwa’s men have had a remarkable run on the domestic scene after winning five of their six matches in all competitions.
Bullets collected nine points in four league games against Bangwe All Stars, Moyale Barracks and recently Chitipa United, on top of retaining the FDH Bank Cup with a 3-0 hammering of Mafco and a 2-0 beating of Civil Service United in the first leg of the Airtel Top 8 quarterfinals.
The stalemate in those matches was against Ekwendeni Hammers in which we came from behind to draw 1-1.
We scored 12 goals, conceded three and kept four clean sheets.
Across all domestic competitions this season, The People’s Team have recorded 20 victories from which 14 were registered in the TNM Super League, five in the FDH Bank Cup and one in the Airtel Top 8.
Fifth-placed Kamuzu Barracks have also had a good run in the league, winning four of their last five matches to move just four points within the fourth-placed Chitipa United.
KB registered a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Moyale Barracks before playing out to a 1-1 draw away to Wanderers.
They then hosted Ekwendeni Hammers, in which they collected all the points courtesy of a lone strike from Olson Kanjira.
Kanjira then scored a brace to inspire them to a comfortable 2-0 win over Chitipa United, and they travelled to Blantyre where they were held to a 1-1 draw to Bangwe All Stars.
Their last match in the league saw them beating Red Lions 2-0 away at Balaka Stadium on 11 October, before they thrashed non-league side Chikuni FC 7-1 in the Castel Challenge Cup three days later.
However, they were eliminated from the Airtel Top 8 by Mafco FC on away goals rule after they were held 1-1 at home as the first leg ended goalless.
Head-to-head
Bullets have an excellent file in opposition to KB and have gained 14 points from the last seven meetings.
The two sides shared the spoils in the opening half of this campaign after we registered a goalless stalemate away at Civo Stadium.
In the 2022 season, 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.
In the 2020/21 season, Bullets claimed a double over Alick Chirwa’s side following a 3-1 victory in the opening round away in Lilongwe and 3-0 in the reverse fixture at Kamuzu Stadium, with the final game officially crowing The People’s Team as winners of the championship.
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 that was dominated by Bullets but Pasuwa’s charges failed to capitalize on plenty of chances created that day away in the capital and had to wait for the reverse fixture to win 2-0 at home.
Saturday’s match will not be easy for Pasuwa’s charges as the opponents are now picking up and intrinsically motivated to do well and push to the top four with a win against the defending champions.
Team News
Pasuwa will be without centre-back Clyde Senaji, who continues to nurse a knock he picked during our Northern Region outing last week. Patrick Mwaungulu is also out due to a thigh injury.
Defending midfielder Frank Willard is also not available due to suspension after picking three straight yellow cards.
Our opponents will be without Zeliat Nkhoma, also due to suspension, while goalkeeper Bonage Lweya is injured.
What Pasuwa said
Our story is managing the players. We try as much as possible to manage them to last the season. We can’t change the fact that games are coming, but I have just advised every registered player to be ready for action. With injuries hitting us hard, we will not spare any player. We want everyone to be ready for us to continue doing well.
Football being football, a team that will start well [on Wednesday afternoon] will carry the day. Like always, we try our best for us to deliver. The way we start the game, the way we manage the game, is all about the attitude when we approach these teams. Otherwise, we are ready and looking forward to the match.
What Kalinda said
We drew goalless in the first leg at home, we will step up to collect maximum points tomorrow, it’s going to be tough, but great things never come from a comfort zone.
Kick-off time and how to follow the game
The game is scheduled for 14h30 and will be streamed live online on the FIFA+ channel. You can also catch all the match updates on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Match officials
Mwayi Msungama returns as the centre referee as we face Kamuzu Barracks at home in the midweek fixture at Kamuzu Stadium.
Referee: Mwayi Msungama
Assistant Referee 1: Benadetta Kwimbira
Assistant Referee 2: Mc Hestings Kanjati
Fourth Official: Benson Subili
Match Assessor: Bester Kalombo
