A loss to minnows Karonga United and a one-all draw with Wizards FC, struck a terrible blow on Nyasa Big Bullets title defence bid but if that was not disappointing enough, Lilongwe teams are ganging up to pile more misery on the People’s Team.
Bullets face Kamuzu Barracks (KB) at Civo Stadium this afternoon before lining up against Civo United 24 hours later.
The fixtures wrap up a troublesome week for the defending champions in which their players threatened to boycott training over the club’s failure to remit a combined K43 million in unpaid signing on fees.
“With all respect, Bullets has much league experience than us. But when they face us they should expect absolutely nothing than a loss,” KB coach Billy Phambala said with sheer boldness.
Bullets currently occupy 11th position with 13 points from eight games while KB are on sixth position with 19 points having played 13 matches.
Phambala said beating Bullets would send a strong signal that they are serious in their title chase.
“Like every serious team, we are chasing the title and to achieve that we need to beat the best teams,” he said.
Rejuvenated Dave Banda will most undoubtedly be the man to provide the midfield steel while captain Harvey Nkacha will lead the attack.
In the meantime, Bullets technical director Billy Tewesa laughed off the opponents’ threats saying they do not stir any air of fear into his camp.
“If teams think that losing to Karonga and being held by Wizards translates into a loss of form on our part, then they should think twice,” he said.
Bullets have to cope with the absence of central defenders Miracle Gabeya and George Nyirenda who have flown out to South Africa for trials.
Tewesa lamented over the duo’s unavailability: “It is a setback but we are hopeful that their replacements will rise up to the challenge,” he said.
To worsen matters, the People’s Team are also likely to be without another central defender John Lanjesi who is recovering from an injury and in the circumstances, the former Civo defender Emmanuel Zoya might find space to face his former club.
On his part, Civo coach Milias Pofera Jegwe said his side has enough weaponry to overcome Bullets.
“Bullets has a large following but I think we have better players than them. So we are not scared of anybody,” he said.
Civo, sitting on ninth position with 15 points from 12 games, was trounced 4-0 by Red Lions last weekend and their coach believes they have a chance to bounce back against Bullets.
The Civil Servants have received a major boost after most of their players have returned from injured. They include captain Blessings Kawanga and Dan Msimuko. They are all in contention to make the cut on Sunday. n
