FCB Nyasa Big Bullets mentor Kalisto Pasuwa has made a bold statement declaring that his charges would defend the TNM Super League championship despite trailing leaders Silver Strikers by 16 points.
The statement comes after Bullets suffered their second loss of the season when they went down to Karonga United at Karonga Stadium on Sunday.
The result left Bullets stuck on position five, with 20 points from 14 games, having won four matches, drawn eight and lost twice.
At the same stage last season, Bullets were at the summit of the league with 27 points from 14 games while Silver and Chitipa United were second and third, respectively, with 26 points each.
Last season, Bullets finished the first round on top with 30 points while Silver and Chitipa ended on second and third, respectively, with 29 points each.
On Saturday, forward Babatunde Adepoju gave Bullets the lead but Saulos Moyo replied for Karonga before Blessings Mwalilino scored the winner.
Despite the poor start, Pasuwa remained positive about successfully defending the league title.
“We are still in the running and we will do our best to defend it. Losing a battle is not losing the war,” Pasuwa said.
Meanwhile, former Flames and Bullets midfielder Chimango Munthali has said with the way Silver is performing, the league might be over for the other contenders.
“Given the significant lead of 11 points over second-placed Mighty Wanderers and 16 points gap away from Nyasa Big Bullets, Peter Mponda’s Silver Strikers are without doubt the favourites to go all the way and win the league title.
“Boasting a better goal difference of 10 goals compared to second-placed Wanderers, the Central Bankers have shown ruthlessness when in front of goal this season. This is one element that will surely propel them forward as the league intensifies,” Kayira, who played in Mozambique, said.
Kayira said Silver have an advantage on fixtures in the second round.
“Looking at the remaining fixtures in the second round, the odds seem to favour Silver Strikers as they seem to have already played and collected maximum points away at Bullets and Civil Service United, who are usually their tough opponents in the league,” he said.
Bullets’ next fixture is an FDH Bank round of 16 clash against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday.
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