FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will kick off the 2026/27 FDH Bank Premiership season with an away fixture against Civil Service United in Lilongwe on Saturday, with the squad managing a number of injury concerns ahead of the opener.
The People’s Team head into the fixture looking to respond after a 1-0 defeat to Mighty Wanderers in the NBS Bank Charity Shield, the first Blantyre derby of the season, as focus turns to the start of the league campaign.
Head Coach Gilbert Chirwa has confirmed that a number of first-team players will miss the trip following the team’s final preparations, including Mike Mkwate, who pulled a muscle against Wanderers last weekend.
“Mike Mkwate pulled a muscle back in Lilongwe during the NBS Bank Charity Shield. Frank Willard just had a knock on Wednesday, and new signing Ahmad Kung’unde as well.”
Mkwate is expected to miss the opener as the technical team takes a cautious approach to his recovery early in the campaign.
Willard and Kung’unde are also unavailable after picking up knocks in recent training sessions.
Chirwa’s comments also addressed Aaron Chilipa’s absence during pre-season matches and the Charity Shield, despite the left-back having taken part in preparations following his return to the club earlier this month.
“If a player is coming from injury, we cannot start using him right away. We give him time to fully recover and then look at performance and when we are satisfied we can always pick him.”
Chilipa is currently working his way back to full fitness, with the technical team taking a measured approach to his return.
Left-back Chrispin Mapemba also remains unavailable as he continues his recovery after undergoing successful surgery in Tanzania.
Chirwa also addressed the absence of new signing Dastan Banda and loan returnee Madalitso Safuli from the Charity Shield squad.
“We determine the performance of the player during training. It’s competition, nothing else.”
The coach emphasised that selection is based on performance levels in training, with competition for places driving standards within the squad.
Despite the setbacks, Chirwa remains confident in the depth of his squad, backing the available players to step up and deliver.
Bullets will rely on squad depth and tactical flexibility as they aim for a positive start against Civil Service United in what promises to be a demanding opening fixture in Lilongwe.
