Nyasa Big Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa has admitted that his TNM Super League table-topping charges are struggling to perform due to fatigue following a jam of fixtures in Malawi.
The Zimbabwean coach commented on his players fitness levels after Bullets registered a scrappy 1-0 win over Red Lions courtesy of striker Hassan Kajoke’s 71st minute goal at Mpira Stadium, Blantyre, to restore their three-point advantage in the league.
It was Bullets first win in three consecutive league games and five matches across all competitions, having exited the domestic FDH Cup then missed out on the Cecafa Kagame Cup title to Express FC of Uganda following a 1-0 loss in the final played in Tanzania two weeks ago.
In a post-match interview with Bullets media, Pasuwa admitted that they rode their luck to defeat Lions and atone for last week’s 1-0 loss to Moyale Barracks and a goalless draw with Mzuzu Warriors.
“The play wasn’t that perfect but we just wanted a win in order to regain our confidence. We knew that the match would be difficult because our opponents play a more physical game and we had to talk to the boys to keep on fighting and fortunately, we got the result that we wanted,” he said.
The former Zimbabwe national team coach cited the demands of having to fulfill domestic and international fixtures was taking its toll on his players.
“Fatigue is still there and you saw how Gomezgani [Chirwa] and [Chimwemwe] Idana, who have speed, were down due to tired legs. These guys have been playing games throughout, but we have no choice but to adapt to the congested fixtures that are there,” he said.
Bullets lead the 16-member log table with 52 points from 25 games, three points in front of second-placed Silver Strikers going into the last five games of the season.
Next, Bullets host Chitipa United at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday whereas Silver welcome bottom-placed Warriors on the same day in Lilongwe. Bullets will also have to participate in the CAF Champions League having been drawn against Amazulu of South Africa