FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Assistant Coach Gilbert Chirwa has revealed that the club’s rotation policy was behind the absence of three key players in Saturday’s FDH Bank Cup quarterfinal win over Kamuzu Barracks.
The People’s Team secured a 2-1 victory at Kamuzu Stadium to reach the semifinals, but did so without leading scorer Babatunde Adepoju (11 league goals), midfielder Chikumbutso Salima (nine goals and 10 assists this season), and first-choice goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu (nine clean sheets in 15 games).
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Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s crucial TNM Super League clash with Mafco FC at Kamuzu Stadium, Chirwa clarified that the trio’s absence was tactical rather than injury-related.
“We rested some players [against KB], not just Babatunde and Salima, but also Nyasulu. It has been our approach since the start of the season,” Chirwa explained. “We rotate players to manage fatigue, especially in a long season. You might not see some players on Tuesday and that’s part of our strategy to keep everyone fit in the squad. All of them are available for selection.”
The explanation puts to rest speculation about Salima’s fitness after he picked up an injury against Silver Strikers, while Adepoju had been on national team duty before the KB match. Richard Chimbamba deputized impressively in goal, keeping Nyasulu’s spot warm.
Bullets will look to extend their commanding lead at the top of the table when they host Mafco on Tuesday. The defending champions currently sit four points clear of second-placed Mighty Wanderers and could stretch that advantage to seven points, as the Nomads don’t play until Wednesday.
The reverse fixture saw Bullets edge Mafco 1-0 at Champion Stadium in Mponela during the first round.
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