FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Coach Kalisto Pasuwa has said despite signing more players, his team has plenty of homework to do to compete against some of the big teams in the Caf Champions League.
Bullets were the busiest team in the just-ended domestic transfer window, having signed seven players including the Zimbabwean duo of Ronald Chitiyo and Colin Mujuru, Lloyd Aaron from Civil Service United, goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu and Nigerian striker Babatunde Adepoju, who returned to the club on loan from Venda Academy in South Africa.
However, Pasuwa, who guided Bullets to a quadruple last season, told Radio 2FM Sport Wednesday that he needs to find a perfect balance to compete in the continental championship.
“[On the issue of] having some reinforcements, we need a team that can have balance. There are some childish mistakes that we do due to lack of experience. If we talk of a team, we talk of a spine, from the goalkeeper to strikers. We need experienced players who can be talking to the boys.
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“These are some of the things that we are not rectifying when we play in the Caf Champions League. Yes, we have been winning here but what is it we are doing in [the Caf] Champions League? We need to make that correction. [In] each and every department, we need to be strong to compete against teams such as Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroccan teams that we play against,” the Zimbabwean mentor said.
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Pasuwa, who has won five straight TNM Super League titles with Bullets since 2018, has struggled in the Caf Champions League.
Last year, Bullets progressed to the second preliminary round of the competition after beating Dragon FC 3-0 on aggregate.
However, they were eliminated in the second preliminary round following a 5-0 loss on aggregate to Democratic Republic of Congo giants TP Mazembe.
Meanwhile, sports analyst Parry Chinyama has said Pasuwa is being realistic
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“I want to agree with Pasuwa’s sentiments that his team is not up to the standard where it can compete in continental competitions. This is a fact.
“If Bullets, with over six national team players, are struggling against small teams in the [TNM Super] League, it will be difficult for them to compete in the Caf Champions League,” he said.
Bullets last reached the group stage of the Caf Champions League in 2004, when they were under the tutelage of Kinnah Phiri.
Bullets have started their TNM Super League title defence on a low following a 1-1 stalemate with Dedza Dynamos and a goal-less draw with Mighty Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre last Saturday.
