FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are in the Northern Region for TNM Super League action against Karonga United at Karonga Stadium on Sunday.
It’s our second fixture up the lakeshore district this season after the first outing, winning 3-0 over Chitipa United in April.
Trailing 13 points to league leaders, Silver Strikers, we will be seeking to return home with all three points to keep our title hopes this term alive.
It has been a first round to forget for the defending champions who have had multiple draws, sitting fifth in the table with 20 points from 13 games.
CURRENT FORM
On Wednesday, we registered our first win in five league matches, beating FOMO FC 3-0 at the Kamuzu Stadium, a result Pasuwa described as a motivation to his players, who he said were psychologically down following a poor run that saw us recording only three wins in 12 games.
Before defeating FOMO, the 2023 quadruple winners played out three back-to-back draws against Creck Sporting Club, Kamuzu Barracks and Civil Service United.
These results saw us dropping further down the standings. But a win over the league newcomers pushed us one step up the log table.
As for the hosts, they suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Mafco FC at Chitowe Stadium. But before that, Karonga maintained their perfect home run with a comfortable 3-0 win over FOMO a week ago.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
From our previous ten meetings, Bullets have registered seven wins, two draws and one loss against Sunday’s opponents.
The last encounter was in November last year when we collected all three points following a hard-earned 1-0 victory at Karonga Stadium, a result which took us closer to our fifth league title.
It was a match marred by violence from some section of the home fans, but Bullets stood firm to collect the important points courtesy of a seventh-minute strike from Patrick Mwaungulu, who will miss this fixture as he is on the verge of joining TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo alongside our 2023 top scorer, Lanjesi Nkhoma.
The only victory for Karonga United against Bullets came in the third week of the 2020/21 season through Clement Nyondo’s first-half strike.
Pasuwa’s side has been unbeaten at Karonga Stadium in the last three matches, including the 1-all draw in the second quarterfinal leg of the 2022 Airtel Top 8.
TEAM NEWS
Anthony Mfune will not be part of the action due to an ankle injury he sustained against FOMO midweek, joining Collin Mujuru, Clyde Senaji, Ernest Petro, Ronald Chitiyo and Ephraim Kondowe, who will resume normal training next week while Alick Lungu, Clever Mkungula and Mike Mkwate remain on the sidelines as they recover from their long-term injuries.
Midfielder Frank Willard is part of the squad following his return from injury and Pasuwa will be hoping to give him minutes since his last involvement in November when he damaged his anterior cruciate ligament during our TNM Super League game against the now-relegated Blue Eagles.
Hassan Kajoke, who missed Wednesday’s fixture against FOMO has also found his way back in the squad.
KICK-OFF TIME AND HOW TO WATCH THE MATCH
The game is scheduled for 14h30 and will be streamed live on FIFA+. You can also catch all the match updates on our Facebook and X (Twitter) channels.
MATCH OFFICIALS
David Chinoko, who has already refereed two of our games this season, has been entrusted to hold the fort as we face Karonga United away this Sunday afternoon.
Referee: David Chinoko
Assistant Referee 1: Lameck Phiri
Assistant Referee 2: Mavuto Godoya
Fourth Official: Mercy Kayira
Match Assessor: Kalyoto Ngosi
