Head coach Wedson Nyirenda says Bullets’ remarkable Airtel Top 8 record brings expectation, not pressure, as his side prepares for Saturday’s quarterfinal second leg against Ekhaya.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are the most successful club in Airtel Top 8 history.
The People’s Team have lifted the trophy a record four times—in 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025—and head into Saturday’s quarterfinal second leg against Ekhaya aiming to keep alive the defence of their crown.
With Bullets carrying both the weight of history and the expectations that come with being defending champions, Nyirenda was asked during Thursday’s pre-match press conference whether that success creates added pressure.
The head coach’s response left little room for doubt.
“No pressure. No pressure,” he said. “I think I have been through a lot of finals. I have won more than I have lost in the finals. So I am a man of gold. I like gold. I think this should also be maybe the fifth one. It will be the fifth. We are going to get it.”
While expressing confidence in his own record in major finals, Nyirenda was equally quick to acknowledge the challenge posed by an Ekhaya side that arrives in Blantyre unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions.
“As usual, every other game against us is a difficult game. They have gone seven games without losing, and we have also gone many games without losing,” he added. “The only difference is that I think we have improved in the past three games from the draws that we used to have. Now we are getting some goals and managing the game to win.
“So, it is going to be a very interesting game. They are playing good football at the moment, and I think we are also playing good football.”
Nyirenda also believes Bullets are in a much stronger position than they were when the sides met in the first leg, having taken charge just three days before that encounter.
Since then, he has overseen three consecutive league victories, with Bullets extending their unbeaten start to the season to 10 matches across all competitions.
Now, Nyirenda believes the confidence and momentum his side has built over the past month can help carry Bullets into the Airtel Top 8 semifinals as they seek to keep their title defence alive.
