Kalisto Pasuwa was short of words after FCB Nyasa Big Bullets fought hard to reach the FDH Bank Cup semis following a 1-0 victory over Civil Service United at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The defending champions needed a last-minute strike from substitute Precious Phiri to break the stubborn Servants, who nearly took the game to penalties.
Pasuwa admitted he didn’t know how to thank his men, who, despite being written off in the current campaign, are in the semi-finals of one of the country’s most prestigious knockout competitions.
“Honestly, I don’t know how to thank the boys. That fighting spirit was out of this world. They delivered at a time when we were written off. I don’t know what to say to them. Let me congratulate them for reaching the semis of this competition. We have come from afar and that was something else,” reacted Pasuwa after the final whistle.
Providing his analysis of the clash, Pasuwa, who seeks a third successive FDH Bank Cup, also heaped praise on the opponents, who conceded the goal in the 95th minute after playing their lungs out to frustrate the defending champions.
“The good thing about the match is that we didn’t concede a goal in the regulation time and yes, our opponents were playing very well and, in every department, they were very solid and it was very unfortunate to them that they lost concentration in the dying minutes of the game in which we scored our winning goal,” said the 2023 Coach of the Year.
Pasuwa, a quadruple winner last season, maintained his stand on knockout competitions, saying all that was needed was a goal which came to secure an important win.
“These are types of games that you don’t expect much apart from winning. I can’t expect more than this. What you need is for one to go to the next round and for them [Bullets players], they have proceeded to the semis and I am happy for them,” commented the Zimbabwean tactician.
Having qualified for the next round, Moyale Barracks stand in the way of Pasuwa’s charges, who, coincidentally, will travel to Kamuzu Stadium for a TNM Super League match against the defending champions on Sunday.
The Bullets head coach believes that the match will allow his charges to analyse the opponents’ strengths and weaknesses before the semifinal showdown.
“Yes, it will be a good game for us considering that we are meeting them first in the league before the semis. They have been in fine form; they have been playing well and we expect a tough match again. We will see how they will fair [in the league on Sunday] before meeting them again in the [FDH Bank Cup] competition.”
Apart from the two ongoing domestic competitions, Bullets are also preparing for the CAF Champions League first preliminary round first leg against Zambian champions, Red Arrows, on 18 July at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Pasuwa believes that Sunday’s victory will motivate his men ahead of the CAF Champions League fixture.
“It’s one thing which has made me happy. Remember, we have been struggling in the league and we haven’t been at our level best and having this win will motivate the boys to do it against the Zambian champions next week in Lilongwe before facing them again in Lusaka for the return leg.”
