Ahead of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ Castel Challenge Cup final clash against Goshen City Dedza Dynamos at Bingu National Stadium, interim head coach Gilbert Chirwa spoke to the media.
Chirwa addressed the team’s readiness, reflected on the challenge posed by a motivated Dynamos side, and provided updates on player availability as the squad prepares for the decisive match of the 2025/26 season.
Below is the full press conference:
How prepared is the team for the Castel Challenge Cup final?
All I can say is that it is a cup game. A cup game is always difficult. On our part, we are well prepared. All our players are fit and ready to play at their best level.
Can you provide an update on team news ahead of the final?
We have two players who are injured. Aaron Chilipa and Chrispin Mapemba are currently injured and will not be part of the squad. The rest of the players are available for selection.
What does reaching the final mean for the players and the club?
It means a lot to us. It is motivation for everyone. I know it’s not the first time for us to play in a cup final, but it is always special to reach this stage.
We will not look back. We will remain focused on playing to the best of our abilities.
Dedza Dynamos have shown strong motivation and momentum. How do you assess the challenge they pose?
I think as Bullets, we are ready. Yes, they are motivated to win because they have new sponsors, but my players are also motivated because they have reached the final.
It doesn’t matter that our friends are also motivated. We have set our eyes on the prize.
Some have labelled Bullets as favourites for the trophy. How do you respond to that?
That’s Alex Ngwira’s take. I can also praise him for reaching the final among so many teams in the league. It was something big for them.
However, a cup final is a cup final. A coach can say this, but maybe he does not mean that. Let’s wait and see what happens on Saturday.
Dedza knocked out four Super League teams, some of whom challenged us in the league. Does that add extra caution heading into this match?
As I said, it’s a cup game. From all the previous matches that we have played in this competition, we have been very serious, and that’s exactly how we are treating tomorrow’s game.
From the first match until now, it has been a good performance from the team. We know that Dedza won’t be an easy ride considering how they have also performed in this cup. But we are ready, and we are very positive that we will get the job done.
How have you managed external discussions around your coaching application during this period?
The focus now is on the final. Whether there is pressure or not, there is no pressure. I applied for the job, and there is a committee that will look into that.
At this time, we are not focusing on that. Our concentration is on the final. About the job, that will be handled later.
The club has a strong history in cup finals. Does that experience help going into this one?
The team has been playing in finals before. Since I was a player, we have been playing in cup finals. As far as I know, we are ready for this game.
There is no pressure to beat any record because we have always been competing in cup finals.
Personally, what would lifting this trophy mean to you?
It will mean a lot for me. I have been here for a long time as a player and now as a coach, and I have won many league titles and cups.
Reaching this final as a coach is a morale booster for me, the technical team, and the players. We are prepared for this stage so we can bring the trophy home.
