Coach for TNM Super League defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Kalisto Pasuwa has said people should not read too much into results of the early stages of the season.
The Zimbabwean tactician, who has won five consecutive TNM Super League titles since 2018, was speaking ahead of his team’s home fixture against second-placed Mzuzu City Hammers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre Saturday afternoon.
Bullets have made a slow start to the 2024 season after winning just two matches out of six, losing eight points in the process.
The People’s Team is currently fifth on the 16-member log table with 10 points, six behind current leaders Silver Strikers who face Wanderers Saturday.
Bullets, Silver and Wanderers remain undefeated in the opening six matches of the elite league.
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Sounding calm and composed, Pasuwa said his focus is on the entire season.
’’We are just starting off the season, so we should not talk much about points. The season will only end after we play 30 games. Looking at how we have fared, of course, we need to push up in or der for us to be at par with other teams. But we must not look much in to what others are doing.
’’For one to start well at the beginning of the season, it means this is how they prepared for the season. You also need to consider other factors in your team like injuries before you talk about the performance,’’ Pasuwa said.
A lot is expected from Bullets this season following their clean sweep of silverware in 2023.
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The results saw Pasuwa writing his own piece of history despite having a squad which was clearly exhausted from playing many matches.
This resulted into many Bullets players sustaining injuries at crucial moments of the season.
But at a time when they expected some relief after the offseason break, the all-conquering Bullets continue miss more of their top stars due to injuries.
Their sickbed still has Mike Mkwate, Alick Lungu, Maxwell Gasten Phodo, Ephraim Kondowe and Chikumbutso Salima.
Pasuwa said he has other players who will do the job against Hammers.
Bullets are coming from a 1-1 stalemate against Mafco at Chitowe Stadium whereas Hammers’ confidence is sky high after edging Kamuzu Barracks 1-0 at Mzuzu Stadium.
Hammers coach Elias Chirambo said his charges have what it takes to upset Bullets.
’’We expect a tough match but we are ready for them. Our current position on the table is giving us the feel-good factor as we look forward to facing Bullets,’’ Chirambo said.
Hammers are second on the table with 13 points from six matches, three points behind Silver.
In other matches scheduled for today, Kamuzu Barracks host Moyale Barracks in all-soldiers affair at AG Dimba Ground in Mchinji whereas Creck Sporting take on Fomo.
Tomorrow’s action will see Silver Strikers hosting Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at Silver Stadium whereas Karonga United will meet Civil Ser vice United at Karonga Ground.
The other match is between Dedza Dynamos and Chitipa United at Dedza Stadium.
