admin. . . Bullets suffer 0-4 aggregate Champions League loss
. . . Reports claim some players suffered food poisoning
LAST year, it was Norman Mapeza who was crying foul after a four-goal thrashing at the hands of Tanzanian giants Simba SC in Dar es Salaam in a Champions League match.
On Sunday, it was the turn of Callisto Pasuwa and his Nyasa Big Bullets to cry foul after the Tanzanian club completed a 4-0 aggregate victory in their Champions League showdown.
Simba beat the Bullets 2-0, which was the identical scoreline in the first leg in Blantyre, to eliminate the Malawian champions.
But, there is concern within the Bullets camp that some of their players might have been victims of food poisoning, at their hotel in Dar es Salaam, ahead of the match.
Reports in Blantyre yesterday suggested the Bullets were contemplating filing a complaint with the Tanzanian football authorities.
“Nyasa Big Bullets are lining up a complaint to Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) through the Football Association of Malawi (Fam) over a suspected food poisoning at a hotel they booked in Tanzania which led to the sickness of five players and an unnamed official,” read one of the reports.
“The team’s Administration Officer Albert Chigoga has confirmed the development in an interview with the press.
“But, Chigoga refused to reveal the names of the affected players.
“Inside sources have revealed that striker Babatunde Adepoju and defender Alick Lungu are some of the players who were rushed to the hospital.
“FAM competitions director, Gmezgani Zakazaka, says his body will wait for the report by the Bullets though the situation is tricky as the team made all the hotel and travel arrangements on their own as per the CAF rules.”
Last January, Simba SC thrashed FC Platinum 4-0 in Tanzania, after losing the first leg 0-1 in Harare, to complete a 4-1 aggregate victory.
Mapeza was advised, shortly before the match, that five of his key players had tested positive for Covid-19.
The Zimbabweans played under protest after their key players – goalkeeper and skipper Petros Mhari, Lawrence Mhlanga, Silas Songani, Ransome Pavari and Congolese forward Eli Ilunga – were told they had returned positive Covid-19 results.
Three officials – team manager Joseph Mususa, goalkeepers’ trainer Tembo Chuma and medic Jeskia Chavurura – were also reported to have tested positive for Covid-19.
The results were only released at the last possible minute.
While Simba SC are known for their gamesmanship, football analysts in Malawi said the results exposed Bullets’ poor preparations against their experienced and well-prepared opponents.
Analyst Patrick Zgambo said the Bullets were content with their domestic performance and did not beef up their squad.
“Simba SC played three international friendly matches against Asante Kotoko and Al Hilal of Sudan and AS Arta/Solar7 of Djibouti in preparation for the competitions. Who did Bullets play? None.
“If you look at the Simba squad you can see the huge difference between the two clubs. They have players from across the continent.”
Another analyst, Felix Sapao, said Bullets needed to invest in the Champions League participation.
“Beating Simba was a tall order. Simba’s budget was US$5.7 million. Money buys quality. Bullets should have signed two or three international players and played international friendlies.
“All I can say is, playing in the CAF Champions League tells them what level they are.
“They should not give up. They should continue with the CAF Champions League. It’s not easy. But they are the best team in Malawi and they need to play the best on the continent.” – Sports Reporter/Malawi Nation
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter