Following their elimination in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, FCB Nyasa Bullets acknowledges the need for self-reflection on their recurrent struggles in the continental tournament. Albert Chigoga, the club's chief administration officer, emphasized the importance of drawing up a roadmap to build on their CAF Champions League experience and the significance of investing in a deep squad with experienced players.
Bullets, as the TNM Super League champions, reached a further stage in the competition this year but faced a comprehensive 5-0 defeat on aggregate against TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Chigoga highlighted the unique caliber of players required to succeed in CAF competitions and the necessity for mental and technical development aligned with the tournament's level.
Football pundits have advised Bullets to recognize the necessity of investing in quality players to reach the group stages. Kinnah 'Electric' Phiri, the club's legend and former coach who led them to their only group stage qualification in 2003, recommended organizing a meeting with former players, officials, and pundits to brainstorm on the way forward.
Felix Ngamanya Sapao, a football management and marketing consultant, echoed the sentiment and emphasized the need for financial investment to compete at a continental level. Sapao cited the example of the minimum salaries and player payments in teams that have qualified for the stages, underscoring the significance of player value and quality.
Football analyst Parry Chinyama highlighted two key issues affecting Bullets' performance: a lack of squad depth and a deficiency in quality players to compete at the continental level. Chinyama stressed the importance of having a well-rounded squad with at least three players for each position to mitigate the impact of injuries. He also cited successful teams like TP Mazembe, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Simba SC, which recruit quality players from across Africa to strengthen their squads.
The insights from both experts and former players underline the challenges Bullets faces and the strategic considerations required for future continental campaigns.
