Heston Munthali spoke to the media on Friday ahead of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ trip to face MAFCO at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday.
Our first assistant coach conducted the pre-match press conference on behalf of head coach Wedson Nyirenda, discussing preparations for the FDH Bank Premiership encounter, competition for places and the latest team news.
Munthali also spoke about the new arrivals, Chawanangwa Gumbo’s form, our defensive consistency and the backing of supporters in the Central Region.
Read the full transcript below.
Looking back at the Blue Eagles win, what pleased you most, and where do you see room for improvement ahead of Sunday?
We are playing MAFCO in Lilongwe, and we know it will not be an easy game away from home. However, the way the players performed against Blue Eagles gives us confidence, especially in the second half, which was superb. We played very good football and scored two goals, and we are optimistic that we can win on Sunday.
How is the squad looking ahead of Sunday’s trip?
The squad is looking good. There is a lot of competition, and everyone wants to play. That makes choosing the team difficult for us as a technical panel, but the boys are ready and eager to play in Lilongwe.
MAFCO are fighting to move out of the relegation zone. What kind of contest are you expecting?
It is difficult to face a team like MAFCO when they are struggling in the bottom three. They need points, and we are also looking for three points to maintain our winning start. We know the wounded soldiers will be difficult opponents, but our concentration is on our own system and approach. We are ready for them.
What is your assessment of the new players, and should we expect to see them in action?
We will give them opportunities. They are still learning how we play, both in and out of possession, and there are several things they need to understand.
We gave Tinaye a run against Blue Eagles on Sunday, and he showed that he wants to play and be part of the team. He has shown attributes that can help us. We will give each player a chance. Everyone’s time will come.
MAFCO favour a physical game. How do you want your players to handle that while establishing control?
We know they are a very physical side. We have worked with the players in training on how to approach that kind of opposition. From what we have seen during the sessions, we believe the boys can put that work into practice and deliver on Sunday.
We have kept five consecutive league clean sheets. What has been key to that consistency?
We have good defenders and goalkeepers, but we defend as a team and attack as a team. That is how we work in training, and it has helped us concede very few goals while also scoring at the other end.
We have also reminded the players not to become complacent. We need to maintain that approach and keep the momentum going.
Chawanangwa Gumbo was named Player of the Match against Blue Eagles. What has impressed you most about his recent performances, and what more would you like to see from him?
Chawanangwa is an important player with experience. He played very well against Blue Eagles and got forward to give us a goal. Together with his teammates in midfield, he is playing good football, exchanging passes and winning duels. Those are some of his strengths.
With his experience, we want to keep pushing him to work hard, help the other players give more and maintain his form.
How competitive have the sessions been this week, and how much are training performances influencing selection?
It has not been easy to select the team because players in every department are working very hard to earn a place. That gives us difficult decisions as coaches, but we will select the players we believe can represent us well in Lilongwe.
With high temperatures forecast and kick-off moved to 15:00, how are you preparing the players for the conditions?
We know it will be very hot. The Blue Eagles game was also played in hot conditions, and we had two cooling breaks. We expect similar conditions in Lilongwe, but we are ready for the game.
Are there any injury concerns ahead of the match?
At the moment, we have one player still recovering from a long-term injury. Chrispin Mapemba is improving, but he has yet to rejoin the group. He is the only player unavailable. The rest are training and looking forward to being considered for the game against MAFCO.
Supporters came out in large numbers at Mpira Stadium last Sunday. What is your message to the Bullets supporters in the Central Region as we return to Lilongwe for the first time since the first-round meeting with Blue Eagles?
They are our 12th player, and we encourage them to come in large numbers to watch their team and support the players so that we can carry the day. We are always grateful whenever they come out to support us.
