Coach for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Calisto Pasuwa has said squad rotation will be crucial if they are to produce positive results in the TNM Super League and in Cup games.
Pasuwa made the remarks after his charges defeated Civo Service Untied FC 2-0 on Wednesday in Lilongwe at Civo Stadium to open their 1st leg of the 2023 Airtel top 8 competition.
Pasuwa also highlighted the adjustments his side made in order to see off a tough Civo Service United.
“It was a game, we played with different intensities, we started slowly then we upped the intensity and managed to get a goal in the first half. Thereafter we managed to get another goal in the second half something which is good for a cup game.
“The story is not being afraid to use all the players who were registered, we need them to be prepared and if you recall even during our pre-season we were often changing line ups because we were preparing for these moments,” he said.
Pasuwa added that the team is playing three to four games in the space of few days which is difficult for players who require at least 48 hours to recover while also noting that they have been travelling a lot with no trainings done as they are prioritizing body recoveries.
Meanwhile Assistant Coach for Civo Service, Wilson Chidati said the match is still open ahead of the reverse fixture set to be played in Blantyre.
“We started the game well with plenty of control, it’s unfortunate that we conceded a silly goal and maybe that luck was not on our side as Bullets only had two shots on goal and managed to score, however if they managed to score two goals we can do the same in the second leg,” Chidati said.
Nyasa Big Bullets led 1-0 by half time after shaking off a sloppy and dull start to the Airtel top 8 matchup.
Midway through the first half, Civo Service United were in firm control of proceedings as they pressured the visitors to the brink.
Innocent Tanganyika on one occasion slipped the ball into the penalty box however Dan Kumwenda blasted wide.
Civil continued to seek the breakthrough with efforts from Binwell Katinji, Festus Duwe and Tanganyika however they lacked the finishing edge.
Bullets broke the deadlock in the 34th minute through Maxwell Phodo’s long range effort assisted by Chawanangwa Gumbo.
Bullet’s second half substitute Hassan Kajoke doubled the lead in the 72nd minute assisted by Precious Phiri.
