FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Gilbert Chirwa admitted his side were ‘very flat’ after Sunday’s goalless FDH Bank Premiership draw against Red Lions at Joyce Chitsulo Stadium in Mwanza.
The People’s Team struggled to establish attacking fluency throughout the afternoon and managed only two shots on target in a frustrating outing during our fourth fixture of the campaign.
Speaking after the final whistle, Chirwa admitted Bullets never reached the required levels across the 90 minutes.
“All I can say is that we were very flat today. We did not play as expected. We did not have a good game,” he said.
“The game itself, I think, we did not play the way we should have. We just have to sit down and see what went wrong because most of them didn’t play, and we did not even create good goal-scoring opportunities.
“It wasn’t pleasing, and I think we should sit down with the boys and rectify some of the problems we encountered this afternoon.”
After the emotional high of last weekend’s Blantyre derby victory over Mighty Wanderers, expectations were strong for Maule to carry the same momentum into Sunday’s encounter.
Despite the disappointing display, Chirwa dismissed suggestions that the derby result may have contributed to the subdued performance.
“For today, I think it is very difficult to understand because the majority of the players we rely on were flat, they didn’t play,” he added.
“But the good thing is that we didn’t concede. Defensively, we did well, but otherwise we didn’t play.”
The Bullets mentor responded at halftime with a triple substitution, introducing Madalitso Safuli, Yamikani Mologeni and Chawanangwa Gumbo in place of Paul Master, Peter Banda and Misheck Billiat.
The changes brought greater urgency and attacking intent after the restart, but the hosts still failed to find the breakthrough against a resilient Red Lions defence.
Asked why he delayed changes despite the team struggling to find rhythm in the opening stages, Chirwa explained:
“I think we could not make a wholesale change at the same time, but at least we brought them in, and they showed us how good they are.
“It’s just sad that the majority of the team didn’t play, and this is very confusing, but we have to accept the result and rectify the problems that we have faced today.”
Chirwa also acknowledged Bullets’ struggles in front of goal during the opening weeks of the campaign, though he remains optimistic the team’s attacking form will improve in the coming weeks.
“Yes, it’s a concern that we are not scoring more goals, it’s just four games, and we just have to sit down with the boys, and I think they will start playing well, and scoring goals,” he concluded.
Bullets will now turn attention to next Saturday’s FDH Bank Premiership away fixture against Blue Eagles in Lilongwe.
The People’s Team remain fourth in the standings with eight points from four matches.
