FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Kalisto Pasuwa is concerned about his players as the team prepares to face Zambia Champions, Red Arrows, who won the 2024 CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Interclub Cup in Tanzania on Sunday by defeating Rwandan side APR FC.

Bullets’ performance has slipped from winning all trophies in Malawi last year to only four wins in 14 league games and fifth place with 20 points in the current campaign.

Lilongwe-based Silver Strikers are currently leading the Malawian League. Peter Mponda, a former Bullets player and assistant coach, has led the club to a 16-point lead over Bullets.

Pasuwa admits that things are going wrong and hopes to return to winning ways.

“We are passing through difficult times. The sad part is that the confidence in the boys is now going down. It’s our duty as coaches to motivate them so that they can come back to winning ways,” he said yesterday after his team lost 2-1 away to Karonga United in the league at the Karonga Stadium.

However, the Zimbabwean coach believes that domestic league games differ from CAF Champions League games, arguing that some of his senior players are also injured, contributing to the team’s poor performance.

“Local games are different from CAF. Some of our senior players are not available due to injuries; this is the time we need their services. We believe they will help us once they are back as we prepare for CAF games.”

Bullets will face the Airmen in a two-legged CAF Champions League preliminary round between August 17-24, 2024. The winner of the tie will face DR Congo giants TP Mazembe in the second round.