Bullets Covid-free, off to South Africa

Mphatso Malidadi September 8, 2021

357 1 minute read

Nyasa Big Bullets have received a timely boost after all players tested negative for corona virus.

The results were released Tuesday before the People’s Team fly out to South Africa this morning for their Caf Champions League preliminary round fixture against AmaZulu slated for Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Bullets Chief Administration Officer Albert Chigoga said they were relieved with the test results.

“Nowadays it is difficult to get a perfect clean bill considering the conditions we are going through due to the pandemic (Covid). We are excited that every player has tested negative and the coach will not be affected,” he said.

A 34-member delegation headed by Super League of Malawi President Tiya Somba- Banda and 24 players will make the trip.

Bullets will face AmaZulu on Friday before returning home on Saturday in readiness for the second leg slated for September 18 at Bingu National Stadium.

Chigoga confirmed that five Bullets players, who were with the Malawi National Football Team, will remain in South Africa and will join teammates in Johannesburg before proceeding to Durban.

He also said that Bullets will then camp in Lilongwe to prepare for the return leg.

“Once they return, they will travel to Lilongwe to continue with preparations. Since the match will be played in Lilongwe, we need to camp that side to acclimatise and get used to the pitch,” Chigoga.

Bullets last participated in the Caf Champions League in 2019 but they were eliminated in the preliminary round when they lost 3-2 on aggregate to FC Platinum of Zimbabwe.

However, the team’s best ever finish was in the 2003-04 edition of the continental showpiece when Bullets reached the group stages.

Last month, Bullets took part in the Cecafa Kagame Cup in Tanzania where they finished as runners-up after a 1-0 loss to Express FC of Uganda.

Meanwhile, Bullets Coach Kalisto Pasuwa has admitted to have done little research on AmaZulu.

“We have little knowledge of the opponent. We would have opted for more but it is beyond my control. We will just try to use the little knowledge we have,” Pasuwa told this paper.

AmaZulu Head Coach Benni McCathy has recruited more players ahead of their debut appearance in the Caf Champions League.

AmaZulu have Flames captain Limbikani Mzava.

Bullets full squad is as follows: