Nyasa Big Bullets start their 2021/22 CAF Champions League campaign away today against AmaZulu of South Africa with head coach Kallisto Pasuwa taking a cautious approach.
Bullets will march to the turf at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, venue for the first preliminary round first leg, with past experience in the competition.
Their opponents, on the other hand, are participating in the CAF Champions League for the first time after finishing as runners-up in South Africa
Bullets are also respected in South Africa, having made it to the CAF Champions League group stages in 2004 after getting the better of the likes of Orlando Pirates.
But despite the apparent advantages, Pasuwa says he expects a tough match against opponents who have the Flames captain Limbikani Mzava in their fold, coached by Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy, who has vast experience at top level.
“At this level, the intensity of the game is always high. You can’t expect anything less. That’s why we need to be at our best at all times during the match,” Bullets’ Zimbabwean tactician said.
On his part, McCarthy said his side needs to be worried with Bullets’ physical game and ability to utilise set pieces.
He told The Sowetan newspaper: “We have to just try to avoid giving set pieces away because that looks like one of their biggest strengths.
“If we can avoid giving corner-kicks, free-kicks near our area, I think we’ll give ourselves a big opportunity to get something really, really positive to away with us.”
However, McCarthy said he believes a bit of flair mixed with speed and lot of movements will make it easy for them to beat Bullets, thanks to some insights from Mzava.
Pasuwa has a full squad. Injured striker Hassan Kajoke has not travelled with the team.
Four Bullets players—Ernest Kakhobwe, Chimwemwe Idana, Nixon Nyasulu and Gomezgani Chirwa—joined the team in South Africa after playing for the Flames in their 1-0 win over Mambas of Mozambique at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Usuthu, on the other hand, will be without the injured Zambian striker Augustine Mulenga and new recruit from Gambia Matarr Ceesay, but was happy to report the return of winger Thabo Qalinge from an ailment.
The return leg will be played at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on October 18 and the winner will face five-time Champions League champions TP Mazembe of DR Congo.
To prepare for the Champions League, the People’s Team participated at the 2021 Cecafa Kagame Cup where they finished as runners-up to Express FC of Uganda after losing only in the final.
