Gilbert Chirwa has named his first FCB Nyasa Big Bullets starting XI of the 2026/27 FDH Bank Premiership campaign for this afternoon’s opener against Civil Service United at Civo Stadium.
The People’s Team begin the new league season in Lilongwe, with Chirwa selecting a reshaped side as Maule look to make a strong start.
New signing Pilirani Mapira makes his first competitive start for The People’s Team after joining the club last month.
Chirwa makes six changes to the side that started against Mighty Wanderers in last Saturday’s 1-0 NBS Bank Charity Shield defeat, as Mapira replaces Innocent Nyasulu between the posts.
Bullets Reserves graduates Prince Chiumia and Misheck Billiat are handed starts, with the left-back coming in for Henry Chiwaya, while the winger replaces Maxwell Phodo as the two youngsters begin life in the elite tier against The Servants this afternoon.
In midfield, another new recruit, Clever Kalambo, slots into the side in place of George Chaomba.
Dastan Banda also starts against his former club, replacing Hassan Kajoke, who misses out on the matchday squad.
The forward, who was not part of last weekend’s travelling squad for the Charity Shield, comes straight into the starting XI to lead the line, with Kalambo and Billiat operating on the flanks.
Henry Chiwaya, who started in last weekend’s Charity Shield, is not part of the matchday squad this afternoon, with Aaron Chilipa coming in on the bench.
The left-back, who has sealed a permanent move to Bullets earlier this month after a season-long loan from Creck Sporting Club, returns to the matchday squad after missing pre-season and the Charity Shield as he continues to build match fitness following injury.
Maule now turn their focus to kick-off in the Capital, with a new campaign underway and an opportunity to set the tone from the start. All eyes will be on Chirwa’s men as The People’s Team look to deliver a strong opening performance on the road.
STARTING XI
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets:
1 Pilirani Mapira; 2 Yamikani Mologeni, 4 Blessings Mpokera (C), 31 Prince Chiumia, 26 Emmanuel Kaunga; 17 Yankho Singo, 8 Paul Master, 29 Chawanangwa Gumbo; 28 Misheck Billiat, 11 Clever Kalambo, 18 Dastan Banda.
SUBSTITUTES
24 Innocent Nyasulu, 21 Andrew Jovinala, 30 Aaron Chilipa, 5 Khumbo Banda, 19 Wongani Lungu, 7 Peter Banda, 20 Maxwell Phodo, 22 George Chaomba, 13 Ephraim Kondowe.
