Coach Callisto Pasuwa has said the suspension of football was a blessing in disguise for Nyasa Big Bullets who can now relaunch their title defence properly after starting poorly.
The Zimbabwean tactician said the defending champions faced challenges in the first nine weeks of the season due to injuries which affected the team’s performance.
Bullets were pushed to position eight with 12 points from three wins, three draws and one loss to Karonga United at the time the league was suspended due to Covid-19.
The People’s team relaunch their campaign at home against Mzuzu Warriors at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday before taking on Mighty Tigers at Chiwembe Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday.
Pasuwa said: “As you know, last time we had so many injuries which affected us. Some of the boys have recovered and they are now back.
“I think we have covered more in terms of depth of the team during training session. We last played at home against Mzuzu Warriors at Kamuzu Stadium and we struggled a lot. We missed a lot of chances.”
Pasuwa said his charges have also learned a lesson after the poor showing before the league was suspended.
He said: “We have to prepare for everything no matter which team we are playing whether it is at the bottom or mid table.
“For us to pick up points, we need to work hard. We need to do more. I have been psyching up the boys to say you saw the games we played last time we had to put extra effort to get results.
“So the little chances that we get when we get into the attacking third, we need to utilise them in order to get results.
“It’s good that we are under pressure in order for us to do more. I think we will put everything in place, We mustn’t be sleeping.”
Vice-captain Yamikani Fodya said the players are aware of the task at hand.
“We know that we are not a good positons. We are not under pressure. But what we need is just to take each game seriously.
“We didn’t start well. But following the break, it gave us an opportunity to go back to the drawing board to rectify our mistakes.”
Though most of the injured players are back, Bullets will still miss Hassan Kajoke, Pilirani Zonda, Righteous Phiri and Azizi Mwakifuna, who are yet to recover.
