Head coach Wedson Nyirenda has received a welcome fitness boost ahead of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ FDH Bank Premiership meeting with Silver Strikers at Mpira Stadium on Saturday, with George Chaomba back in full training and available for selection.
Paul Master has progressed to individual rehabilitation work with the club’s medical team, while Chrispin Mapemba remains sidelined.
Bullets will, however, be without Prince Chiumia for the first-round finale after the left-back accumulated his third yellow card of the campaign against Luanar Mitundu.
Speaking to club media ahead of the fixture, Nyirenda provided the latest on Chaomba, Master and Mapemba.
“The good news is that George Chaomba has fully recovered and is back,” said the head coach. “He has been training well and is looking very good.
“We also have Paul Master, who has recovered. He is currently doing rehabilitation at training on his own with the doctors. The only one who is still out is Chrispin Mapemba, but the rest of the players are fully fit and available for selection.”
Chiumia has established himself as Nyirenda’s regular starter at left-back. In his absence, the head coach is considering Kondwani Tebulo, Aaron Chilipa and Andrew Jovinala as possible replacements.
“We have options in that position, and we have been trying different combinations,” Nyirenda explained. “We have the youngster Kondwani Tebulo, Aaron Chilipa and Andrew Jovinala, who can also play on the left.
“We have tested all three, and we will decide who takes the position. We will have a player ready to fill that role.”
New arrivals Sheku Sheriff and Tinaye Tsimba will not feature on Saturday as they continue integrating with the squad.
Chaomba’s return adds to Nyirenda’s options in attack as Bullets prepare for a contest carrying significant weight at the top of the standings.
The People’s Team occupy fourth position with 27 points from 14 matches, two behind Silver and second-placed Mighty Wanderers.
Victory on Saturday would take Bullets above the Central Bankers and could send us to the summit, depending on results elsewhere.
The Matchweek 15 encounter will close our first-round programme, with kick-off at Mpira Stadium scheduled for 14:30.
