FCB Nyasa Big Bullets is delighted to announce that Richard Chimbamba has signed a new contract with the club.
Our 2024 Goalkeeper of the Season, Chimbamba has extended his stay at The People’s Team until 2027.
Chimbamba, who turns 30 in June this year, joined the Bullets in 2017. He was loaned to Ntopwa Football Club during the 2019/20 season.
He became our first-choice goalkeeper following his return from loan, taking the mantle from Ernest Kakhobwe and Rabson Chiyenda, who had both picked up injuries early in the 2020/21 season.
Winning the TNM Super League, Airtel Top 8 and the Castel Challenge Cup Golden Gloves, Chimbamba has racked up over 80 appearances for The People’s Team.
He said after putting pen to paper:
“I thank God the club has offered me a contract extension for another two years. It’s a very special thing to me because this club has given me so much since my arrival [in 2017]. I have committed myself because I know this is where I want to be and signing another contract with Bullets means so much to me. It’s something so special [being at Bullets for eight years]. If this team has kept me here for such a long time it’s clear that there is a very good relationship between me and the club.
“Yes, problems will always be there, but for a club to maintain my services for this long it means there are a lot of positives to look at. Thanks to the management and the head coach for giving me another opportunity to continue playing for this team.
“I desire to see the team doing well always because when the team does well, I am also doing well as a player in many aspects. This is the team I know provides a pathway for players to play outside of this country, and it is my wish to see myself playing at a higher level [outside Malawi through Bullets.]
“As a senior player, I want to encourage my colleagues, both the new arrivals and those who have been here for quite a while now, to continue working hard, be a team player and be well-disciplined; these are some of the things that one needs to stay at a club longer. I would also like to thank the Bullets fans for their continued support and I assure them that something great will happen this season.
“I was voted [the 2024] Goalkeeper of the Season [during the club awards in December] and that means so much to me considering how everyone worked so hard for the badge. I want to encourage everyone to continue giving it all for the club so that we can accomplish more.”
Coach Peter Mponda said:
“[It is a very important signing for us. We lost Gomezgani [Chirwa] and Nickson [Nyasulu]; that was the backbone of the team. It’s very important to retain some of these players and I am very excited to sign Richard Chimbamba today. He has been consistent in the years he has played for Bullets. If you look at the cup finals, the league titles Bullets has won, Chimbamba has been a crucial part of the team, so am very excited, very good signing for the team.
“His experience is very vital to the team. When we were unveiling Clever [Mkungula who also signed a new contract last week], we said he is a young goalkeeper who has a lot of years to play; it will be very good for him to learn from experienced goalkeepers like Chimbamba.
“It also gives Chimbamba healthy competition knowing there’s a youngster who’s knocking [and] if I sleep, I will lose my position, which is good for the players when there’s that healthy competition, everyone improves and when everyone is improving, it benefits the team. So, to retain these two goalkeepers is very important [and] to keep Chimbamba here it’s a plus for the team.”
