FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Coach Kalisto Pasuwa was left disappointed with the performance of some of his key players in the 4-0 humiliating defeat to TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC) in the second leg of the TotalEnergies Caf Champions League at Stade Mazembe on Saturday.
Bullets exited the competition 5-0 on aggregate, having lost the first leg 1-0 at Bingu National Stadium two weeks ago.
In a post-match interview in Lubumbashi on Saturday, Pasuwa questioned the character of some of the players.
“It was a game of mistakes. We gave away cheap goals but, again, most of the guys who made mistakes are dependable players and we expect them to do better.
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“But we settled in the second half and tried to manage the ball but we were not doing enough to attack,” the Zimbabwean said.
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Bullets were outplayed in the first half as they conceded four goals.
They were vulnerable at the back, with Yamikani Fodya, Collins Okumu and Gomezgani Chirwa as the main culprits.
Pasuwa made triple substitution before the break when he introduced Hassan Kajoke, Ernest Petro and Chawanangwa Gumbo for Peter Banda, MacFarlane Mgwira and Okumu.
During the match, the Zimbabwean featured some of the players out of position, including Kenyan Clyde Senaji in midfield and Precious Phiri as left back.
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However, Pasuwa justified his tactics.
“Senaji is a midfielder and it was me who changed him to play at the back,” Pasuwa said.
For exiting the competition, Bullets have missed out on over K700 million as prize money for all group stage teams.
The last time Bullets reached the group stage was in 2003, having eliminated Villa, Orlando Pirates and Zanaco FC.
Bullets are expected to arrive back in Malawi this morning on a chartered flight.
They will face Bangwe All Stars in the TNM Super League at Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday.
Bullets are second on the 16-member log table with 40 points, three points behind leaders Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, who have played three matches more.—Powered by Luthando Holdings Limited-dealers in Yamaya products
