Former Chipolopolo coach Wedson Nyirenda has won the coach of the month accolade in the Malawian FDH Bank Premiership.
Nyirenda, the FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach, has been named the August Coach of the Month, securing his second monthly honour since taking charge in June.
According to the Bullets website, Nyirenda received the award at half-time during Sunday’s league encounter against Blue Eagles at Mpira Stadium, where Bullets went on to secure a 2-0 victory and move to the top of the standings.
Having also claimed the June award following a winning start to his tenure, Nyirenda earned his latest recognition for a four-match unbeaten run covering August and the final first-round fixture in September before the mid-season break.
Bullets began the run with a 2-0 victory over Chitipa United at Mpira Stadium, where Blessings Mpokera broke the deadlock from the penalty spot before Clever Kalambo doubled the advantage two minutes later.
Another narrow victory followed a week later as we travelled north to face Karonga United, with Ephraim Kondowe’s 37th-minute finish proving enough to secure a 1-0 win at Karonga Stadium.
The unbeaten run continued at Dedza Stadium, where Bullets were held to a goalless draw by Luanar Mitundu, maintaining their record of not conceding during the run.
Nyirenda’s side then signed off the first round in emphatic fashion on 5 September, sweeping aside Silver Strikers 5-0 at Mpira Stadium.
Kondowe struck a hat-trick, with Wongani Lungu and Misheck Billiat also on target as Bullets completed their league commitments before the mid-season break.
Across the four matches, Bullets collected 10 points from a possible 12, scoring eight goals without conceding and keeping four consecutive clean sheets.
Nyirenda claimed the award ahead of fellow nominees Declerk Msakakuona of Blue Eagles and Abbas Makawa of Civil Service United.
Sunday’s victory over Blue Eagles took The People’s Team to 33 points, one ahead of Mighty Wanderers, as the second round of the FDH Bank Premiership got underway.
Nyirenda has in the past coached inZambia, South Africa and Mozambique.
Meanwhile, Nyirenda is encouraged by the progress of our three midseason signings but insists they still have plenty to prove as competitive football resumes.
Zimbabwean forward Tinaye Tsimba, Liberian midfielder Sheku Sheriff and defender Alihaji Mnjale joined us during the transfer window, with the five-week break giving Nyirenda and his technical panel an opportunity to assess them through a series of friendly matches ahead of the second round.
“The break was well planned and allowed us to closely assess the players we signed during the transfer window,” said Nyirenda during a pre-match press conference, adding that the trio had shown in the friendlies that they could fit well into his squad.
Despite their encouraging performances, the Zambian stressed that adapting to his playing system is only the first step, with competition for places remaining high.
“When it comes to game time, they still have to prove themselves. It is one thing to show that you can fit into the system, but it is another to secure a place in the team. They have to demonstrate that they are capable of playing for Bullets.
“It will not be easy because competition for places is high, and they must fight for their positions,” he added.
Tsimba and Mnjale underlined their progress by scoring their first goals for Bullets in the 4-2 victory over Extreme FC in Mchinji, our final friendly of the midseason break.
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