Newly-appointed FCB Nyasa Bullets coach Wedson Nyirenda says he is ready to continue the club’s legacy as the country’s most successful team.
Speaking to the media after being unveiled at Bullets offices in Blantyre yesterday, the former Zambia National Football Team coach said he is aware of the challenge in his new task.
He said: “I think I am so excited and so glad to be in Malawi, specifically because I have been appointed as head coach of Malawi’s glamorous club, the team that has won the league championship 17 times.
“That is even more than the other big clubs that are all over this world. I think that is a record because 17 times is huge. It tells a big story about Nyasa Bullets.”
| Courtesy of FCB Nyasa Bullets
Nyirenda, who has played and coached in Zambia and South Africa, has signed a two-year contract and takes over from Gilbert Chirwa, who served as interim coach after head coach Peter Mponda left at the end of last season in December.
He joins the club with the team on sixth position on the log table with 10 points from two wins and four draws.
Nyirenda will also, for now, have to use the players signed by his predecessors since the transfer window is closed.
But the tactician said he will work with the tools at his disposal.
Said Nyirenda: “Bola ndi imodzi [football is the same]. I think we have to give back the confidence into the players that they are playing for a big club and they are also good players.
“Winning a league is a must for any big team like Bullets. So, I know what is at stake and we need to work mostly on the confidence because when you draw many games the confidence goes down.
“People stop believing in themselves. I know the Malawi league is tough. It’s competitive. It’s not a pushover league. But I think we will do our best.”
Bullets president Konrad Buckle said they settled for Nyirenda because of his track record.
He said: “At Bullets we always raise the bar and I can tell you that we have raised the bar even higher.
“The board did not just settle for Wedson from the blues. He is a very good and a respected coach in the region.
“He has achieved a lot at all levels. And I can tell you that he has not come cheap. He is not an ordinary coach.”
Buckle said they also expect Nyirenda to deliver.
“He is not on holiday. He has targets which I cannot disclose now. But yes, we expect him to deliver those targets. But you have to understand that he will need time.”
Bullets sponsors First Capital Bank, who were represented by head of marketing and communication Twikale Chirwa, also welcomed the coach, saying they look forward to another successful relationship with the tactician.
