TNM Super League champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets breathed a sigh of relief after nine players who were placed under quarantine due to flu reported for training Monday after being cleared.
Bullets missed the likes of defenders Clyde Senaji, Nickson Nyasulu, Blessings Mpokera, midfielders Lloyd Aaron, Patrick Mwaungulu, Stanley Billiat, strikers Babatunde Aadepoju, Ephraim Kondowe and Antony Mfune when the side drew 0-0 with Mighty Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium.
It was the team’s second successive draw, having drawn 1-1 with Dedza Dynamos in their opening match.
The return of the nine, minus Babatunde, is a boost to the side following the team’s slow start to the season.
Bullets face tricky away assignments in Week 3 as they meet Chitipa United on Saturday and Baka City on Tuesday.
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Bullets Chief Administrative Officer Albert Chigoga said all players that were down with flu returned to training Monday.
“Our doctors conducted medical examinations on each and every player who was reportedly ill after the match in Dedza. We are happy to report that all players except striker Babatunde Adepoju, who missed the assessment, have been cleared,” Chigoga said.
Chigoga said the other positive development was on injured midfielder Frank Willard and left full-back Alick Lungu, who are still nursing injuries but nearing a return to the side.
“It is our hope that we will have a full squad ahead of the Karonga trip,” Chigoga said.
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This should be a big boost to coach Kallisto Pasuwa, whose makeshift team failed to create clear-cut chances against Tigers.
Pasuwa bemoaned lack of creativity in the middle, which culminated in the team playing too deep.
“We cannot talk of the players who did not play today. We signed 28 players, meaning everyone plays. However, coordination between midfielders and strikers was not good today,” Pasuwa summed up the goalless draw.
Meanwhile, football analyst Roy Abramo M’dechi has described Bullets’ slow start to the season as normal.
“Bullets will come back very strong and hard. They struggled against Tigers at home, yes, but with the return of their quarantined players, they will be difficult to play against. I think Bullets will find it hard in Karonga but I see them getting results from all the matches,” M’dechi said.
