Bullets vs Nomads: Key battles on the ground

Apr 09, 2016 Sports 84
Advertisement
Big Bullets vs Mighty Wanderers

Today sees Nyasa Big Bullets taking on city rivals Mighty Be Forward Wanderers in the Chifundo Charity Shield at the Civo Stadium.

Bullets go into the game as the favourites having dominated their city rivals for the past two seasons.

It has been claimed the game is nothing more than a hyped up friendly, which, to be fair we have seen both teams fielding weakened line-ups in the past, much like preseason friendlies.

Big Bullets vs Mighty Wanderers
There we go again.

However, on this occasion I can’t help but predict it will be much more like a clash of rivals rather than a friendly kickabout.

Team selection: Number 1 spot up for grabs? Following the withdrawal of Vin Gona due to injury, Bullets acted swiftly in finding a potential replacement by signing Ernest Kakhobwe from Azam Tigers on a free transfer.

Encouraging a good performance from Kakhobwe are fellow Goalkeepers Owen Chaima and Chimwemwe Kumkwawa.

These three Goalkeepers have raised an interesting selection dilemma for Bullets coach Franco Ndawa, albeit a pleasant one.

Continuity for a new goalkeeper is an important consideration, therefore Saturday’s selection will offer an insight into Ndawa’s thinking as the same keeper will be allowed an extended opportunity to establish himself.

Due to a composed performance in the friendly against Dynamos, Chaima may be favoured though he should expect a sterner test when attempting to claim crosses against a physical Wanderers team.

Who at right back? Bullets have included three possible left backs in their team to face Wanderers (Yamikani Fodya, Chiku Kanyenda and Emmanuel Zoya). Zoya’s inclusion in Bullets’ friendly against Dynamos suggests the defender has won the trust of Bullets technical panel.

Fodya on the other hand, enjoyed a period at right back last season and may be considered first choice regardless of Chiku Kanyenda’s availability.

Three man midfield In the three matches against Wanderers last season, Bullets decided to mirror their local rivals by using a 3-5-2 formation.

The first encounter at the Kamuzu Stadium was a high intensity affair with the Nomads commanding the midfield battle, however they lacked attacking thrust to prosper from their slight advantage as they went on to lose 2-1.

The contest’s supremacy was evenly matched in the return fixture as Chiukepo was unable to repeat the wonders he performed in the previous encounter and the Bullets midfield struggled to cope with Rafiq Mussa’s presence.

At the Civo Stadium, Bullets controlled the midfield early on, unfortunately the People’s Team were unable to capitalise and paid for the missed opportunities when Wanderers grew warming to the task and eventually took command. In what is considered a glorified friendly, will Ndawa opt for a variation on 3-5-2? Or will he remain true to form a three man midfield? I am leaning towards the latter with Chikondi Likwemba, Henry Kabichi and Dalitso Sailesi likely starters.

The impressive Ng’ambi may also be considered while the evergreen Kondowe is another option.

Key battles Enock Likoswe vs Chiukepo Msowoya For me Likoswe has proved himself. He’s proved to be an absolute steal of a signing.

His judgement is a massive strength. Chiukepo has shown himself to be in the elite when it comes to attacking talent and Likoswe will prove a strong opponent for Chiukepo.

Rafiq Mussa vs Henry Kabichi

Rafiq Mussa is an imposing figure. So Bullets will have their work cut out to match Mussa’s physical presence in attacking scenario.

He is likely to patrol the midfield, but Kabichi will be given a task to quash his influence in deeper positions.

Stanley Sanudi vs Dalitso Sailesi :Sailesi has proven he can play at a top level for Big Bullets with some eye-catching performances. Sanudi seems to be held in high regard by Wanderers fans and has been consistent since his 2015 transfer from Tigers.

If Sailesi can really turn on his game against Sanudi he will prove to be a real test for the Nomads player.

Advertisement

84 Comments

  3. Dis z beggining just wait n see, ife tili ku relegation nkhawa nje!!!!! muziona kut muzitani ife a2 ndi maso, wshng al de best 2 al teams whch ar in Supper League i thnk tikhala ndi League ya nyatwa dis season as far as football z concerned

  8. well done ma-nyasa,, this is a gud stat maule. lets work hard ma player fr this season is also meant fr us… dnt forget we are the defendng champions so lets defend our title as we stat this season

  11. This game concluded almost two hours ago but there is still no update? Shame, shame, shame

  16. How can I explain this testimony to the public about a great man who help me out in serious illness I have HIV AID for good 3year and I was almost going to the end of my life due to the way my skin look like all I have in my mind is let me just give up because life is not interesting to me any longer but I just pray for God every day to accept my soul when ever I’m gone lucky to me my kids brother run to me that he found a doctor in the internet who can cure HIV online he help me out on everything, the doctor ask for my details, so he can prepare the herbal medicine for me from his temple after all he ask is done one week later I started getting more stronger my blood start flow normally for 4 to 5 days I start getting Wight before 6 days my body start developing my skin start coming up after 8 days which he told me that i will be completely healed, I went for HIV test and I was tested negative I’m so happy that I can say I’m not a HIV patient if you have HIV/AID or any sickness he can still help you in getting your ex-back to you please contact him via his email: [email protected], or whatsapp him on +2348143143878.

  30. kkkkkkk bravo Admin team yowina wachita kuyijambula bwino lomwe pamene yoluzayi Sikuwoneka bwino chithuzi chake Nyerere 4lf.

  33. I feel to watch the game but im too far by now.It’s already 2 goals for the Nomads and 1 for Bullets.Full time!Feel the berby it is here today.

Comments are closed.