Here we go
Malawi flag-carriers Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers start their Confederation of African Football (CAF) inter-club competitions’ campaign this evening with tough preliminary round away fixtures.
TNM Super League leaders Bullets face Kenya’s Gor Mahia at Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, Nairobi in Champions League while Silver face AO CMS of Gabon at Augustin Monédan, Libreville, in Confederations Cup.
Bullets, who held their first training session at Ruaraka Sports Club on Tuesday, were expected to get the feel of the match venue last evening.
The People’s Team had to do with Tusker FC’s home ground due to unavailability of grounds with sufficient floodlights.
“We wanted to train at night, but there was no pitch with floodlights. We hope to have our last session tomorrow [yesterday] at night and see how we adjust,” Bullets head coach Callisto Pasuwa told The Daily Nation of Kenya.
The tactician is hopeful of a positive result in Nairobi that could give them an advantage ahead of the reverse fixture set for Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on December 5.
Pasuwa feels that this will give them an edge over K’Ogallo whose preparations have been marred with off-pitch issues.
“The fact that we have been active can be a good thing to us, but again there are lots of tired legs in the squad. We just want the boys to have the right mentality and see what happens on Wednesday night,” he added.
The Kenyan giants have been hit by off-pitch issues, including financial problems that saw players staging a strike and the resignation of their head coach Dylan Kerr, who has since been temporarily replaced by assistant coach Zedekiah Otieno. But Gor Mahia has vast experience in CAF competitions.
K’Ogalom, as the 17-time Kenyan top-flight league champions are popularly known, boast of a good squad, which can withstand such pressure on any given day.
Caretaker coach Otieno’s game plan will revolve around Shafik Batambuze, Joash Onyango, Haron Shakava, Ernest Wendo, Samuel Onyango, Philemon Otieno, Francis Kahata and George Odhiambo
The 13-time Super League champions also have a full squad except for injured forward Patrick Phiri.
Pasuwa can hold his hopes high knowing he has vastly experienced players in captain John Lanjesi, Henry Kabichi, Yamikani Fodya, Bashir Maunde, Chimango Kayira, Nelson Kangunje, Chiukepo Msowoya, Dalitso Sailesi and Fischer Kondowe who are blended with youthful players such as Mike Mkwate and Righteous Banda.
While Bullets’ opponents Gor Mahia need no introduction in Africa football, Silver coach Lovemore Fazili has a mammoth task of playing the little known Gabonese side.
Gabon national football team is ranked 83 by Fifa against Malawi 125, which says a lot about their club football.
AO CMS are 2018 Championnat National D1runners-up and they also dominated cup competitions to qualify for the Confederations Cup.
Fazili, however, said this could be Silver’s advantage.
“They don’t know us as well, so we can use the element of surprise too,” he said.
Fazili also said despite having no clue on how their opponents play, they are set for the battle.
“Apart from the hot weather, our preparations have gone on well and we are ready. The players are focused,” he said.
But Silver will have to wear a brave face as they return to CAF competition after 25 years.
They last participated in a CAF competition in 1993 when they were knocked out by Arsenal of Lesotho when Confederations Cup was called in Africa Cup Winners Cup.
The Bankers have a youthful side that has played together for a while under Fazili.
Players such as Flames goalkeeper Brighton Munthali, Levison Maganizo, Mark Fodya, Victor Limbani, Duncan Nyoni, Thuso Paipi, Young Chimodzi Jnr, have gelled well with newcomers Mike Tetteh, Yunus Sheriff, Mphatso Philiemon and Khuda Muyaba.
