FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Wedson Nyirenda has congratulated the club’s players selected for Malawi’s U20 and U23 national teams, describing their involvement at international level as a source of great pride for the Bullets family.
Eight Bullets players have been named in Malawi’s provisional Under-20 squad ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations COSAFA Qualifier in Mozambique, while three more have earned confirmed places in the Under-23 squad for the AFCON U23 qualifiers against Eswatini.
For Wada Wada, the selections represent more than individual recognition. They are a source of pride for the entire Bullets family and a testament to the club’s commitment to developing players who can rise to the demands of representing Malawi at the highest level.
“On behalf of the entire FCB Nyasa Big Bullets family, and in my own capacity, I would like to congratulate our players who have deservedly been selected to represent the nation at various national teams,” Nyirenda said.
“It is a great joy to see our own players at the national teams. As FCB Nyasa Big Bullets FC, we value the growth and progress of every individual player as well as the team.”
The breadth of the selections is particularly significant, with the 11 players representing different stages of the Bullets setup.
Prince Chiumia, Kondwan Tebulo, Madalitso Safuli, Misheck Biliat, Clever Kalambo, Cliford Chisale, Maxwell Sidreck and Jalas Fellix are part of head coach Enos Chatama’s provisional U20 squad, which began preparations at Mpira Village on Monday ahead of the regional tournament in Mozambique from 18 to 27 September.
Sidreck is currently gaining experience on loan at Bangwe All Stars, while Fellix is part of the Bullets Reserves setup.
At U23 level, Edward Thengo, Julius Banda and Feston Botomani have earned places in Bob Mpinganjira’s 24-member squad for the two-legged AFCON U23 qualifying tie against Eswatini.
Thengo comes from the Bullets first team, while Banda and Botomani have progressed from the Reserves.
For Nyirenda, that spread of representation reinforces the importance of the environment in which players develop. The latest selections extend beyond established first-team players to the club’s development ranks and include a player gaining valuable competitive experience away from the club.
While celebrating those who have earned their call-ups, the coach was equally keen to encourage the players who have not been selected this time to continue pushing for their own opportunities.
“We also applaud those of our players who have not been selected this time to work even harder so that they too can break the ranks at the national team,” he said.
The message is one of continued opportunity. Selection is recognition for the work already done, but it also places greater emphasis on maintaining the standards required to reach and remain at international level.
For Nyirenda, individual ambition and collective development go hand in hand. He believes the team environment should challenge players to improve while giving them the platform to realise their potential.
That philosophy is captured in a principle he regularly emphasises:
“I always say: ‘It is a player that makes the team, but it is the team that builds a player.’”
The three U23 representatives will now prepare for Malawi’s meetings with Eswatini, with the first leg away on 28 September before the return match at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on 6 October.
Meanwhile, the eight U20 representatives will continue preparations with the Junior Flames as Malawi pursue qualification through the COSAFA regional tournament in Mozambique.
For Bullets, Nyirenda’s message goes beyond congratulating those who have made the squads. It is a reminder of the club’s responsibility to keep creating an environment where players can grow, compete and ultimately earn the opportunity to represent their country.
