FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Kalisto Pasuwa has saluted his players for rising to the occasion in what he has described as the toughest season he has ever experienced.
The tactician, who is on the verge of winning his fifth straight league title, was speaking in the aftermath of his team’s 1-0 victory over Karonga United in the TNM Super League at Karonga Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Patrick Mwaungulu headed home Ephraim Mwaungulu’s delivery to hand Pasuwa’s side all the crucial three points in our 29th fixture of the league campaign.
Bullets travelled up North coming from another crucial victory to reach the Airtel Top 8 final after defeating Blue Eagles 3-2 in Lilongwe on Sunday.
“I have been crying every day about injuries. I could travel with more players, like Alick Lungu, who played on Sunday against Blue Eagles, and we proceeded here, today [Wednesday], he woke up with a swollen knee and this is what I have experienced this season.
“These injuries made our season very tough because they kept on coming. We had no time to recover. It has been a tough season, but kudos to the players for fighting for the badge,” reacted the Zimbabwean.
Added Pasuwa: “I would also like to thank the management for allowing me to travel with more players because we have been on the road a lot, it would have been difficult to play and win these games with the very same players. By rotating them, we were able to balance and share energy.”
The hard-fought midweek win was the first one against Karonga away in nearly three years, something Pasuwa has attributed to the game plan and the anger amongst his players who were looking for nothing else but three points to cement the top position in their quest to defend the title.
“We have been talking about looking for a win for us to ease the pressure which was on us. Like always, the players were tired, and the secret was to attack and score early so that we manage the game. We had a lot of chances in the first half, but we only scored once.
“Then the opposition started coming back into the game, but the boys managed to contain them. Defensively, the boys did very well. They needed the points. It was a must for them to win. Hence, you saw everyone defending the ball whenever we were under attack,” he explained.
Nevertheless, the Bullets head coach was quick to caution his boys that the battle was not yet over until the last game despite opening a three-point lead over the second-placed Silver Strikers, who will be visiting The People’s Team at Kamuzu Stadium on the final day of the campaign.
“I have been talking about the last game. I will talk about the championship on the final day of the season. We have one game against Silver Strikers [on Sunday], and it won’t be easy. You saw how hard these games have been on us. So, it’s not over until we get the result in the final game.”
