Coach Kalisto Pasuwa has welcomed the exemption of his Nyasa Big Bullets from domestic league games in Malawi this weekend due to a national team assignment.
The Zimbabwean said the break would help his injured players to recover ahead of next week’s CAF Champions League first-round first-leg match against Tanzania’s Simba in Lilongwe.
“This break came at a good time. I have several players injured, and we needed this break to have them recover for us to have everyone ready for the game,” he said.
The former Warriors coach referred to strikers Babatunde Adepoju, Precious Phiri, defenders Precious Sambani, Isaac Badu, goalkeeper Clever Nkungula and midfielder Frank Willard who are injured.
The Mutare-born gaffer said all things being equal, he could have loved to have all players in camp to ensure smooth preparations.
“We wanted everyone to be around for us to choose who can partner who, especially when we are playing these Champions League matches, as you know local games are different from international football,” Pasuwa said.
The TNM Super League champions have contributed over three players to the Flames squad meeting Mozambique on Sunday in the CHAN final qualifying round second leg match in Maputo.
Domestic football regulations in Malawi offer an exemption to teams contributing over three players to a national team.
Bullets are 12 points clear ahead of second-placed Blue Eagles on the Super League’s 16-member log table with 10 games to go. Malawi football season runs from March to December.
Pasuwa is chasing a record-extending eighth league title on the spin, building on the four he won in a row while in charge of Zimbabwe’s Dynamos FC before joining Bullets in 2018.
The Blantyre giants are also vying for an unprecedented 16th league title while also eyeing progress in the Champions League.
Bullets’ best showing in the continental league was a group stage finish which they registered in the year 2004.
