Injuries hit Bullets
Nyasa Big Bullets have been hit by injuries with over five key players sidelined, a development that has left their coach Callisto Pasuwa worried.
Left-backs Precious Sambani and Yamikani Fodya, right-back Gomezgani Chirwa, midfielder Ernest Petro and striker Chiukepo Msowoya are some of the players currently nursing injuries.
The People’s Team has since announced that Sambani is expected to undergo a surgery on his knee which will sideline him for six months.
Sambani, who sustained the injury during the People’s Team’s 2-0 victory over Ekwendeni Hammers at Kamuzu Stadium a fortnight ago, underwent a scan which revealed that he damaged his anterior cruciate ligament and sustained a partial tear to his meniscal.
The TNM Super League defending champions’ coach Pasuwa on Wednesday said: “He is required to go for surgery and he will definitely be out of action for six months or so.
“As a coach, I am saddened by this setback to his career, but it’s something which is inevitable in football and I wish him a quick recovery.”
Bullets have since signed Eric Kaonga from Ekwendeni Hammers to replace Sambani.
The left-back was handed a debut at the weekend when he replaced injured Fodya during Bullets’ 2-1 victory over Mighty Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Chirwa, Petro and Msowoya also suffered injuries during the match.
Fodya tore his thigh, Petro suffered a shoulder injury while Chirwa sprained the lateral ligament to his right ankle.
Said Pasuwa: “[It’s a] very tough season for us as we have been losing players to injuries in each and every game we are playing. We lost four players on Sunday against Tigers and they didn’t come to training today [Tuesday] as they are meeting the doctors.
“I will be waiting to hear from our doctors to determine the extent of the latest injuries, but it’s sad that we keep on losing players when the league has reached a boiling point and we definitely need some reinforcements.
“It’s a very big challenge to us having these endless injuries and they are happening at a time when the window is closed, meaning we cannot go to the market to buy players.
“But, remember I have been trying most of the guys so that we can use them in such situations and it’s also an opportunity for them to prove to us that they can play for the team and show us that they are part of the club.”
Bullets trail leaders Silver Strikers on goal difference as they are tied on 39 points, but the Central Bankers have a game in hand.
