FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Kalisto Pasuwa could not hide his frustrations with Sunday afternoon’s officiating as The People’s Team secured a 1-0 victory over Mafco in the TNM Super League at Kamuzu Stadium.
The win came at a cost as midfielder Wongani Lungu, who was named Player of the Match, suffered deep cuts to his leg after Mafco’s Vitumbiko Phiri and Duncan Mwale purposely stamped him in the dying minutes of the game in full view of the match officials.
Lungu, who joined us from Mzuzu City Hammers in August, couldn’t continue, and Bullets finished with ten men.
In his post-match presser, Pasuwa was not happy with referee Cassim Shaibu for failing to protect his players, who, in recent matches, he said have been subjected to anti-football tactics from opponents.
“This wasn’t a tough match at all, but we are playing against match officials who fail to protect my players. I have been very quiet, but I have had enough.
“In all the games we have played, what I have been seeing since day one is uncalled for. We need to be professionals in our football if we are to improve.
“You have seen it yourself, and I don’t need to explain it, and if I keep on complaining again, it will be worse. I have been seeing this type of officiating going on and on, and I have been losing players because of this poor officiation,” Pasuwa shared his frustrations.
“Yes, we haven’t been doing well, but where we need to be protected, let’s protect the players because I am the one with the players on the ground. If I keep on losing them, I am the one affected. This has to stop.
“You can be my witnesses. You have been in the game several times where you see my players being deliberately kicked without any action from the referees. You saw what happened to Wongani today in full view of the referee who failed to stamp out his authority. What sort of officiation was that? If it were any of my players, a red card would have been issued,” highlighted the Bullets head coach.
Providing an assessment of the match, Pasuwa believes Bullets can still fight for the title.
“We can still challenge for the title and have our confidence back, but if they don’t fix the officiation mess, I will be losing players, and who will play for me then? A lot needs to be done to have fair play,” he commented.
Bullets created plenty of goal-scoring chances on Sunday but found the back of the net once, prompting Pasuwa to admit that his team needs to do more to score.
“One goal shouldn’t have been enough because of the number of chances we created. We have been getting into the attacking third, but technically, we fail to put the ball into the net. The good part is our ability to create chances, and we will build from this to fix this problem.”
The Malawi champions will now focus on next Saturday’s Castel Challenge Cup Round of 64 tie against Blantyre Rural non-league side Kumanda All Stars at Kamuzu Stadium.
