Malawi: Chirwa downplays Bullets’ three losses to Wanderers

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets interim coach Gilbert Chirwa has commented on the People’s Team’s preparedness for Saturday’s grudge match against principal rivals Mighty Wanderers in Lilongwe.

The 17-time Super League record winners will go into the NBS Bank Charity Shield match at Bingu National Stadium haunted by memories of losing three consecutive games across all competitions to the Nomads last season under previous coach Peter Mponda.

Derby weekend at BNS 🔥

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— FCB Nyasa Big Bullets (@nyasabigbullets) April 17, 2026

In a post-match interview on Friday, the Bullets legend insisted that their unfavourable results against Wanderers last season are now water under the bridge.

Chirwa on facing Wanderers

“We are very much prepared,” said Chirwa. “All the players are well. We are looking forward to the game. I have worked on a number of things. We strengthened the team. We brought in new blood; six of them plus the players that we had last season. We have come up with a good team.

“As alluded to, they beat us three times last year but that does not mean it will be the same this year. This is a different year. It is a new year and our approach is positive. Our players are motivated to do well.”

Wanderers coach Mtetemera reacts

The Nomads assistant coach McDonald Mtetemera, whose boss Bob Mpinganjira is on a study tour in the United Kingdom, seemed to agree with his Bullets counterpart that past results would count for nothing during the derby.

“This is another season,” said Mtetemera. “We have done everything possible to win tomorrow. About complacency whatsoever, there is nothing like that. The league begins tomorrow.

Yes, we beat them three times last season, but this is a different season. I know they will come hard on us and we have to put an extra gear to win tomorrow.”

Newly installed captain Emmanuel Nyirenda will lead Wanderers from the back just as is the case with his Bullets counterpart Blessings Mpokera.

Both teams have beefed up their squads to replace players who joined other sides during the off-season. The People’s Team will surely miss the services of playmaker Chikumbutso Salima who is now with Al Merrikh in Sudan.

Wanderers too will start life without influential winger Wisdom Mpinganjira now on loan at Mozambique’s Black Bulls FC.

Saturday’s game is a dress rehearsal for the 2026-2027 FDH Bank Premiership campaign set to kick off on 25 April 2026. The season will end next February.