Dead, buried
Down and out: Nyasa Big Bullets’ journey in the Caf Champions League came to an end Sunday after they lost 2– 0 to Tanzania giants Simba SC at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. On aggregate, Bullets lost 4– 0 after a similar result at Bingu National Stadium last week.. Bullets needed to beat Simba by three goals but their dreams were over as early as 29 minutes into…
Down and out: Nyasa Big Bullets’ journey in the Caf Champions League came to an end Sunday after they lost 2–0 to Tanzania giants Simba SC at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
On aggregate, Bullets lost 4–0 after a similar result at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) last week.
Once again, Bullets failed to exorcise the demons that have haunted the club since 2015, having failed to go beyond the first round of the competition.
Unlike last year, when they exited the competition after suffering a 3–2 loss to Amazulu, this year Bullets failed to score even a single goal but conceded four goals in two matches.
Bullets needed to beat Simba by three goals but their dreams were over as early as 29 minutes into the game when Moses Phiri scored the first goal.
Phiri completed his brace in the second half to hammer the last nail on Bullets’ coffin. It was dream over.
Just like in the first leg, Bullets were also outclassed in the second leg yesterday. They lacked firepower upfront and had no shot on target the entire match.
Bullets Coach Kalisto Pasuwa made six changes to the side that lost 2–0 in the first leg at BNS.
Goalkeeper Clever Mkungula replaced Richard Chimbamba.
Hassan Kajoke, Alick Lungu, Henry Kabichi, Anthony Mfune, Precious Phiri and MacFarlane Mgwira were in the starting line-up whereas Babatunde Adepoju, Kesten Simbi, Frank Willard, Patrick Mwaungulu and Chimwemwe Idana were relegated to the bench.
However, Pasuwa made an early substitution when he brought in Idana for Alick Lungu.
Bullets finished the match with 10 men after Kajoke got injured in added time after they had already finished their substitutions.
In post-match reaction, Pasuwa said he suspected foul play.
“We made the same mistakes just like in the first leg. We did not play the way we wanted. Again, everyone was feeling dizzy but I do not know what happened,” Pasuwa said.
On the other hand, Simba interim coach Juma Mgunda also made some changes as Ousmane Pape Sakho and Mohammad Quattara were rested for Mzamiru Yassin and Augustine Okrah.
Flames attacking midfielder Peter Banda and Sakho were introduced as second half substitutes for Simba.
Bullets line up: Clever Mkungula, John Lanjesi, Precious Sambani, Gomezgani Chirwa, Alick Lungu, Henry Kabichi, Ernest Petro, Precious Phiri, Mfune, Kajoke, Mgwira.
