The People’s Team travel to Dedza Stadium on Saturday seeking a return to winning ways in the FDH Bank Premiership.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets return to the road on Saturday to face Goshen City Dedza Dynamos at Dedza Stadium in Matchweek 11 of the FDH Bank Premiership.
Bullets head into the encounter third in the standings with 20 points from ten matches, one point behind the leading pair of Mighty Wanderers and Silver Strikers.
Last weekend’s goalless draw against Ekhaya FC saw us drop two points, making Saturday’s fixture another important assignment in a tightly contested championship race.
Dedza Stadium has rarely provided a straightforward afternoon for The People’s Team. We have recorded one victory, one draw and one defeat from three league visits to the venue since Dynamos earned promotion to the top flight.
However, last season’s narrow 1-0 win in Dedza demonstrated that Bullets can overcome the challenge through discipline, patience and clinical execution.
FORM GUIDE
Bullets are winless in their last two matches across all competitions following the Airtel Top 8 quarter-final exit against Ekhaya and last weekend’s goalless league draw against the same opponents.
Before those two encounters, The People’s Team recorded three consecutive Premiership victories over Kamuzu Barracks, Masters FC and Creck Sporting Club to move firmly into the championship conversation.
Five victories and five draws leave Bullets as the league’s only unbeaten side this season.
Our away form has also been encouraging, with victories over Kamuzu Barracks and Mighty Wanderers complementing draws against Civil Service United and Blue Eagles.
Goshen City have endured a difficult start to the campaign and occupy 14th position with eight points from ten matches.
The Central Region side have recorded two victories, two draws and six defeats, scoring six goals and conceding 17.
Their victories came against Kamuzu Barracks and Karonga United, while they shared the points with Moyale Barracks and Mighty Wanderers.
Dynamos have suffered defeats against Masters FC, Civil Service United, Red Lions, Blue Eagles, MAFCO and Chitipa United. Their latest outing ended in a 2-1 home loss to Chitipa.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Saturday’s contest will be the ninth league meeting between Bullets and Goshen City Dedza Dynamos.
The previous eight encounters have produced four victories for Bullets, three draws and one defeat.
We completed a league double over Dynamos during the club’s debut top-flight campaign in 2022, winning 1-0 at Balaka Stadium before securing a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture.
The following season produced a 2-2 draw at Kamuzu Stadium before Dynamos claimed their first victory in the fixture with a 1-0 result at Dedza Stadium.
Both meetings in 2024 ended 1-1. A first-half lead slipped away in Dedza before a late equaliser rescued a point for Bullets in the reverse fixture.
Another league double followed last season, with a narrow 1-0 victory at Dedza Stadium preceding a 3-0 win in the return match.
The two sides also met in the 2025/26 Castel Challenge Cup final at Bingu National Stadium in February. Hassan Kajoke struck twice as Bullets lifted the trophy with a 2-1 victory, while Chikondi Mbeta Junior scored for Dynamos.
THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER
Bullets have collected 20 points from ten league matches, recording five wins and five draws.
The People’s Team remain the only side yet to suffer defeat in this season’s FDH Bank Premiership.
Our four league assignments away from home have produced two victories and two draws.
The eight previous league meetings with Dynamos have yielded four wins for Bullets, three draws and one defeat.
Three league visits to Dedza Stadium have produced one victory, one draw and one defeat.
Goshen City have collected eight points from ten matches following two wins, two draws and six defeats.
The hosts have scored six league goals and conceded 17.
TEAM NEWS
Maxwell Phodo is available for selection after returning to full training.
The experienced forward, who missed our previous two encounters against Ekhaya, has been included in the squad travelling to the Central Region.
Prince Chiumia will miss the match after sustaining a groin injury during Thursday’s training session.
Captain Blessings Mpokera also remains unavailable with a groin injury, while midfielder Paul Master continues his recovery from a knee problem that has kept him out for several weeks.
Chrispin Mapemba remains on the long-term injury list and continues his rehabilitation after undergoing knee surgery in April.
COACH’S THOUGHTS
Assistant coach Heston Munthali has overseen preparations in the absence of head coach Wedson Nyirenda, who travelled to Zambia following the passing of his mother.
Munthali expects a demanding afternoon but insists the hosts’ position in the standings will have no bearing on Bullets’ approach.
“Playing Dedza in Dedza is difficult, but we have played and won there before. It would be very good for the team to win in Dedza because it would help us rise in the standings, but we are not looking at the table; we are looking at the game.
“First of all, we must encourage the players to go there, play and bring home three points.”
The assistant coach has also been encouraged by the players’ response in training following last weekend’s goalless draw.
“They are approaching the game with a good attitude. Considering the matches we have played away, we have won two, so they are confident that we can win in Dedza.
“We just need to focus and play our normal game.”
OPPOSITION VIEW
Goshen City caretaker coach Lazarus Nyemera has challenged his players to produce a strong response following last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat to Chitipa United.
“We are coming from a loss, but the response from the boys has been very positive. Their attitude has been good, and they are well prepared for Saturday’s game.”
Nyemera acknowledged that Dynamos paid the price for a poor start against Chitipa but believes the work completed during the week will help them avoid a repeat.
“It was a painful loss at home because we started badly, but we have worked very hard on our approach and attitude. The players are motivated, and everybody understands the importance of this game.
“We now need to move on from last week’s defeat and focus on Saturday because we need all three points.”
TACTICAL FOCUS
Bullets have consistently created scoring opportunities but must rediscover their clinical edge in the final third.
The People’s Team controlled long periods of last weekend’s encounter against Ekhaya but were unable to convert their chances in the goalless draw.
Munthali says finishing has remained a central focus during the week.
“In the game against Ekhaya, we had a lot of chances. Unfortunately, we did not score any. After speaking to the boys and working on finishing in training, they are responding very well.
“We are hopeful that, come Saturday, we will see some goals from the boys. The team is looking forward to the game.”
Patience in possession could be important against a side expected to defend compactly and seek opportunities on the counterattack.
Maintaining our structure whenever attacks break down will also be important, denying the hosts space to exploit in transition.
KEY BATTLE
The contest could be shaped by Bullets’ ability to find a way through Goshen City’s defensive structure.
Dynamos could remain compact, protect the central areas and challenge us to find solutions around their defensive block.
Quick movement, intelligent use of width and composure around the penalty area will be essential if we are to turn possession and territorial control into clear opportunities.
At the opposite end, our defensive balance will be equally important. Limiting Goshen City’s opportunities to break forward could allow us to sustain pressure without becoming exposed in transition.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Three points would return Bullets to winning ways and maintain pressure on the teams above us in the Premiership standings.
With only one point separating The People’s Team from Mighty Wanderers and Silver Strikers, victory in Dedza could significantly strengthen our position in the championship race.
A positive result would also extend our encouraging away run and preserve our unbeaten start to the league campaign.
For Goshen City, the fixture presents an opportunity to move away from the bottom three and rebuild confidence after a challenging sequence of results.
Backing from our supporters in the Central Region will be important as we pursue another valuable result on the road.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jimmy Phiri
Assistant Referee 1: Yohane Chiutika
Assistant Referee 2: Innocent Jaha
Fourth Official: Mussa Ibrahim
Match Assessor: Verson Lwanja
MATCH DETAILS
Fixture: Goshen City Dedza Dynamos vs FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
Competition: FDH Bank Premiership
Matchweek: 11
Date: Saturday, 25 July 2026
Venue: Dedza Stadium
Kick-off: 14:30
HOW TO FOLLOW
Saturday’s match will be streamed live on FIFA+.
Supporters can also follow live updates across the club’s official social media platforms, with the match report and post-match reaction available on nyasabigbullets.com after the final whistle.
