Chronicle Editor
NYASA Big Bullets are keeping their fingers crossed on the availability of two strikers for today’s CAF Champions League first preliminary round match against AmaZulu FC at Bingu National Stadium.
The veteran strikers, Chiukepo Msowoya and Babatunde Adepoju Adebare, suffered knocks in the first leg, at Moses Mabhida, in Durban, last week.
But, Bullets’ coach, Callisto Pasuwa, was optimistic the two marksmen, who were eventually substituted due to the injuries, will be available tomorrow.
“So far so good, we are having minor knocks on two to three players, who are working with the medical and fitness teams, and we expect them to undergo a late fitness test on Friday (yesterday), hopefully they will be available for selection on Saturday,” he said.
But if this fails, the coach said he has Plan B.
“That’s the reason why we travelled with more players to have a backup, in case some of the injured players fail to recover,” he said.
The coach will also welcome his top goal-scorer Hassan Kajoke, who missed the first leg, due to an injury.
Bullets relocated to Lilongwe on Wednesday, with a 27-member squad, for the return match.
“[It’s] very important for the team to arrive early for Saturday’s match. Remember, we are also dealing with weather which is totally different from [Blantyre] where we are based.
“We needed the boys to adapt to this weather pattern.
“You saw how hot it was around 2pm and we arrived here at that time to try to suit to the environment,” Pasuwa said.
AmaZulu flew into the country on Thursday for the tie.
The South African Premiership outfit go into the second leg, on the back foot, after losing 0-1, in their backyard, last Friday.
Apart from playing at home, Bullets also had a week to rest before the match while AmaZulu faced SuperSport United, on Tuesday, in a match which ended goalless.
Coach Benni McCarthy said he expects the second leg to open up a little bit. —Malawi Nation.
Online Reporter