By Nyasha Chuma
CALLISTO Pasuwa, credited in part for helping Malawi qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, on Sunday further elevated his name to celestial heights after helping Nyasa Big Bullets to a third TNM Super League title in three years.
The title came after nearest rivals Be Forward Wanderers capitulated to a 3-1 defeat at home to Blue Eagles on Sunday while second-placed Silver Strikers lost to Moyale Barracks 2-0 to lose ground to their rivals.
Nyasa Big Bullets needed a point or better from their final home game against Karonga United after the international break but results elsewhere relegated that final encounter to a formality ensuring the defending league champions secure a third title on the trot.
On Saturday, The People’s Team had walloped Kamuzu Barracks to open a four-point lead over second placed Silver Strikers and a five-point lead over third placed Wanderers.
Pasuwa won his first title in his debut season in 2019 before leading the team to another league glory in the following season.
The former Warriors’ coach has had a topsy-turvy tenure in Malawi and was officially welcomed into the league in June by the Malawi Football Coaches Association (NFCA), almost two years after landing in Malawi to take up the post of Nyasa Big Bullets coach and having helped them to two titles.
NFCA chairperson Aubrey Nankhuni praised Pasuwa for contributing to the development of the game in the country and that there is a lot that local coaches can learn from him.
“We want to change the way the NFCA works going forward. These coaches are indeed foreigners, but they are doing a respectable work that is helping the country improve the standards of the game,” Nankhuni said at that ceremony.
“If you look at the performance of Bullets and Silver in the league, you will understand what I am talking about. These coaches also deserve credit for Malawi’s Africa Cup of Nations’ qualification as the Flames relied on most of their finished products to build the winning team. We cannot ignore such coaches, but welcome them into our fold as there is a lot we can learn from them.”
Nankhuni, added that they are keen to involve Pasuwa and Zambian Dan Kabwe in their imminent coaching clinics across the country.
“Previously, I restricted my work to Bullets and I was afraid of joining the coaches’ body as they seemed not interested in foreigners. But now I feel at home. I will tell my people in Zimbabwe that I am home away from home,” Pasuwa reflected at that meeting.
“Football is more scientific nowadays. Let us not be jealousy of each other but, rather work together to take the game of football to greater heights.”
