Bullets, Yanga face off on Malawi’s Independence Day
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will have to test their readiness for the 2023-24 TotalEnergies Caf Champions League as they are facing one of the heavyweight in the Central and East Africa on today at the Bingu National Stadium.
Kalisto Pasuwa’s men will take on Tanzanian giants, Young African Sports Club as part of the Malawi’s 59th Anniversary of Independence Day.
The People’s Team who have been making it clear that they will not get tired of participating in the Caf Tournaments were booted out of the Caf Champions League last season after succumbing to a 4-0 defeat to Simba SC in the Preliminary Round.
Yanga are the treble winners in Tanzania after retaining the Tanzanian Premier League, Tanzania FA Cup and Community Shield.
They have dominated the Tanzanian Football for the last two years winning every trophy as in 2021-22 season they also scooped 2021/22 Mainland Tanzania NBC Premier League championship and the community shield and Azam Cup.
After being relegated to the Caf Confederations Cup from the Champions League, Yanga came nearly to win the tournament but they suffered a heartbreak after losing the final to Algeria’s USM Alger on away goal rule.
The Algerian side led 2-1 from the first game in Dar es Salaam and though they were beaten 1-0 by their unfancied opponents at home lifted the title on the away goals rule after the 2-2 aggregate draw.
The two sides have just met once in history.
Nyasa Big Bullets FC and Yanga FC is not a new fixture as the two sides played to a 1-1 draw as the 2021 CECAFA Kagame Cup officially kicked off at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Yanga took an early lead in the 7th minute with an own goal courtesy of defender Miracle Gabeya.
Big Bullets equalized through Chiukepo Msowoya’s penalty in the 29th minute following a foul on Aderpoje Babatunde in the box.
Yanga were reduced to 10 men in the 90th minute after goalkeeper Ramadhan Kabwili was sent off for fouling Hassan Kajoke outside the box.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are facing the Tanzania treble winners at a time when their form has dropped.
Bullets have just won one game from their last five outings, losing twice and drawing twice. They thumped Ekwendeni Hammers, lost to Silver Strikers and Chitipa United and they played goalless draws against Kamuzu Barracks and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.
On the other hand, Yanga have just lost one game in their previous 10 outings in all competitions and they are facing Bullets during off season. They have seven wins, two draws.
TEAM NEWS
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets who won Super League, FDH Bank Cup and Charity Shield Cup will go into the game without 8 players due to injuries and National Team Commitments.
Kenyan Centre back, Clyde Senaji, Mike Mkwate, Stanley Billiati and Ernest Petro have been ruled out of the game due to injuries while Alick Lungu, Frank Willard, Patrick Mwangulu and Lanjesi Nkhoma are in South Africa with Flames.
Meanwhile, it remains clear that the Tanzania giants will be without their Talisman, Feston Mayele who is in his home country for off season.
Bullets Head Coach, Kalisto Pasuwa says the game is a good preparations for the CAF Champions League.
“It’s an opportunity for us as we will play in the Champions League. Remember that we have youngsters who are just coming into the system. They want to see how the Champions League or Confederation Cup is played because our opponents were playing in an international games,” said Pasuwa.
