Kalisto Pasuwa believes it will be a plus for his FCB Nyasa Big Bullets to win an unprecedented quadruple this season, saying he does not want to give his players pressure going into the two final matches.
On Sunday, The People’s Team defeated rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers 4-2 on post-match penalties at Kamuzu Stadium to set up a Castel Challenge Cup final against Silver Strikers.
Bullets, who have already bagged the FDH Bank Cup and the TNM Super League, are also in the final of the Airtel Top 8 and await the winner between Silver and MAFCO, who play in the second semi-final tie on Tuesday.
Speaking after Sunday’s victory over the Nomads in the fourth and last Blantyre derby of this campaign, Pasuwa said he would take one game at a time.
“I can’t put pressure on the boys because they have played football and they are tired. You can see how they start a match; they start very well and they drop down in the second half.
“It’s a plus that we have won [the two semi-final matches] and if we get the quadruple, it will be another plus in terms of how we have fared this season,” commented the Zimbabwean, who has won five Super League titles, two FDH Bank Cup trophies and one Airtel Top 8 cup since he took over the reins at Bullets in 2018.
Ahead of the two cup finals, Pasuwa reiterated that his players were tired.
“Yes, we have done it [reaching a third cup final this season], but if you can see, the players look tired. We rested for a week and some days, but you could see in the second half that they dropped down and allowed Wanderers to dominate, but we managed them and we went to penalties where we won the match,” he explained.
Added Pasuwa: “It’s a motivation to the players for reaching another final, and they are now believing in themselves that it can be done, but, one game at a time and see how we will fare in the final.”
The tactician went on to pay special tribute to his midfielder Yankho Singo, who has stepped up in the absence of injured Frank Willard.
“Some of the players who were not playing regularly are now gaining confidence. I will mention Yankho Singo, who has stepped up and is playing well. We haven’t struggled in the central midfield because he is doing what is required of him to do. It’s good that every player is eager to play for the team.”
Bullets will be heading to the capital this week for the Castel Challenge Cup final against the Central Bankers at the Bingu National Stadium on 30 December, before the Airtel Top 8 final scheduled for 6 January at the same venue to wrap up the 2023 Malawian football calendar.
