Ahead of our trip to the Central Region for Thursday’s TNM Super League clash against Kamuzu Barracks at Civo Stadium, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets assistant coach Gilbert Chirwa faced the media for the routine pre-match press conference.
The People’s Team head into the midweek fixture sitting top of the TNM Super League table with 53 points following Sunday’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Civil Service United at Kamuzu Stadium.
With rivals Mighty Wanderers just a point behind and playing their match 24 hours earlier, Bullets will be aiming to protect their lead and strengthen their push in the title race.
Chirwa addressed the importance of maintaining focus, improving defensively, and executing their game plan away from home.
He also discussed the team’s level of preparedness, defensive concerns, the goalkeeping situation, Richard Chimbamba’s availability, and injury updates.
Below is Chirwa’s full interview.
On facing Kamuzu Barracks away in Lilongwe
“We are set for the game. We know for sure that it will be a tough game. We know Kamuzu Barracks as a good team, but we are ready for them. This time around, we know how important it is to face them at their backyard. The players are geared.
“We scored four goals past Civil Service United, and we believe we can also do it away from home.”
On playing after Wanderers’ midweek fixture
“I always keep saying that we are fighting our own battle and Wanderers are also fighting their battle. In our case, we sat down with the players, did a postmortem on areas where we have been conceding silly goals, and we have taught the boys how to defend properly.
“The fact that we scored four goals over Civil encouraged them to continue believing in themselves. Each and every time we have chances, let’s convert. As we go to Lilongwe, we are set, we are ready, and the players are looking okay. I believe we will have a good game.”
On conceding more goals at home than away
“It is true. Sometimes football is very unpredictable, and you can’t tell what will happen. Sometimes you tell the players to do ABCD, but if that is not your day, you will see the opposite happening. But all the same, in the way we have prepared with the boys, we believe we are going to do good work for the team.”
On deploying Yankho Singo in central defence
“All I can say is that as we prepare for each and every game, we assess the players. As we are preparing them, we compare the players’ performance and then come up with the list of players to feature in a particular game.
“You remember we lost a number of players who were not replaced immediately. So sometimes we use Singo because we see him as a player who can play better in that position than some of the players.
“I will always keep on saying that the head of the technical panel is the head coach, and we are there only to suggest ABCD. Finally, the coach is the one to decide on whether to feature Singo or not.”
On the title race pressure
“When you talk about pressure, football is a game of pressure. Even in Europe, pressure is there, and I think no team can play without pressure. It’s not only us who are under pressure. Even our friends are under pressure. Even those at the bottom are under pressure.
“All I am saying is that we are ready to go to Lilongwe and play to win against Kamuzu Barracks.”
On the goalkeeping situation
“Our first-choice goalkeeper is Innocent Nyasulu, and he has got lots of clean sheets. Yes, he sometimes makes mistakes, but should we remove him? In fact, even the in-field players make mistakes.”
On Richard Chimbamba’s availability
“He is around… Richard Chimbamba is around.”
On injury updates
“Only Aaron Chilipa will not be available for selection because he is injured. Chikumbutso Salima is okay. He is part of the team. He will be ready for selection.”
