FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Wedson Nyirenda is challenging his players to change the way they think about scoring goals, insisting that finding the back of the net should not be left to strikers alone.
The Zambian tactician believes every player at The People’s Team should become a genuine attacking threat, a shift in mindset he sees as central to building a more dangerous and unpredictable side.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s FDH Bank Premiership clash against Ekhaya FC, Nyirenda explained why he is encouraging his players to adopt a more attacking mentality, particularly those in midfield.
“I think what I have found ever since I came is that the midfielders here play football just to play. They play horizontal football; they don’t play vertical football. So we are trying to change all these things so that they become goalscorers.”
Nyirenda said one of the biggest challenges has been changing the belief that goals are the sole responsibility of the forwards.
“There is a belief, I think, a myth among the players that if you’re a midfielder, scoring is for the strikers. So now we are trying to change that mentality. Every other player should be a goalscorer because our game philosophy is that when we lose the ball, we all defend, and when we win the ball, we all attack.”
For the Bullets boss, attacking football is built on collective responsibility. Just as every player is expected to defend when possession is lost, every player should also be ready to influence the game in the opposition’s penalty area.
Nyirenda’s belief is rooted in experience. He recalled a memorable moment from his coaching career when one of his goalkeepers unexpectedly scored the winning goal, demonstrating that any player can make the decisive contribution.
“So if that is the case, even the goalkeeper can be a goalscorer. I have seen that happen in my experience.
One of my goalkeepers scored the winning goal from a drop-kick. One defender just got a touch on it, and it ended up as an own goal.
He wanted to start a quick attack for his strikers, but it turned into a goal. So every player can score.”
Developing midfielders who regularly contribute goals is another important part of the attacking identity Nyirenda is working to establish at Bullets.
“We are trying to turn our midfielders into lethal goalscorers and not just ball players.”
Sunday’s meeting with Ekhaya will offer another opportunity to see those principles in action as Bullets look to return to winning ways and continue their pursuit of the FDH Bank Premiership title.
