Pasuwa: Bullets must prepare for life without Idana

Nyasa Big Bullets Football Club coach Kalisto Pasuwa has emphasized the urgent need for his team to prepare for a future without star midfielder Chimwemwe Idana. The Zimbabwean coach’s remarks came after observing his team’s midfield struggles in their recent 1-1 draw against Kamuzu Barracks in the TNM Super League.

Idana was conspicuously absent from the crucial league fixture due to suspension, having accumulated too many yellow cards.

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His absence was keenly felt as Kamuzu Barracks, spearheaded by Patrick Banda and Gregory Nachipo, largely dominated the midfield battle against Bullets’ trio of Blessings Mpokera, Ernest Petro, and Righteous Banda. Nachipo’s goal for KB underscored their control, though it was later cancelled out by Lanjesi Nkhoma in the second half.

While the introduction of veteran Henry Kabitchi helped stabilize Bullets’ midfield, Pasuwa acknowledged the irreplaceable creativity and drive that Idana — who earned national team call-ups while still with the Bullets Reserve squad — brings to the game.

Idana, promoted from the Reserve team in 2018 alongside Hassan Kajoke and Charles Petro, has been a linchpin for “The People’s Team” this season, starting all 15 of their games. So far, he has contributed 4 goals and 5 assists.

When pressed about the team’s performance without their talisman, Coach Pasuwa lauded Idana’s contributions but stressed the importance of long-term planning.

“We need to prepare for life without Idana,” Pasuwa stated. “We never know; the boy is playing football very well. He can leave us any time, any day. Therefore, if we rely too much on him, we can end up being exposed. You saw it when we played at home against KB; our midfield was exposed.”

The coach confirmed he would be working on the mental and tactical aspects with his squad to rectify these issues. Pasuwa tipped youngster Thomson Magombo as a potential successor to Idana.

“We have youngsters like Thomson Magombo who is very tactically good, but it’s the physical aspect that we are working with him right now. I hope he can fill that void. We also have Henry Kabitchi, who came at half-time to stabilize the midfield, and we hope that the boys who are available can help us in rectifying the problem that we had at home against KB.”