Nyasa Big Bullets FC
| Full name | Nyasa Big Bullets Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Peoples TeamMauleMapale | ||
| Short name | NBB | ||
| Founded | 1967 | ||
| Ground | Kamuzu Stadium Blantyre, Malawi | ||
| Capacity | 65,000 | ||
| Coach | Kalisto Pasuwa | ||
| League | TNM Super League | ||
| 2020–21 | TNM Super League, 1st of 16 (champions) | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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Nyasa Big Bullets is a Malawian football (soccer) club based in Blantyre, currently playing in the TNM Super League, the top division of Malawian football. The club was formerly known as Bata Bullets, Total Big Bullets and Bakili Bullets. Bullets are regarded as the number one football club in Malawi in terms of supporters, league title winning and financial background.
History[]
The club was formed in 1967 by a group of players who split from Mighty Wanderers. The original name was Nyasaland Bullets, but the club managed to source good sponsorship from Bata Shoe Company and was renamed as Bata Bullets.[1]
1970 season was a great success as Bullets achieved a treble after winning the Blantyre and Districts Football League (BDFL), the Chibuku Cup and Castle Cup.
In 2003, then Malawi President Bakili Muluzi adopted the team and renamed it Bakili Bullets. It was during this period that the team enjoyed one of its glamorous periods, reaching the lucrative group stages of CAF Champions League 2004.[2][3]
It was also during the same period that the club had a training camp in the United Kingdom in readiness for the CAF Champions League. Currently the team is sponsored by Nyasa Manufacturing Company (NMC).[4] Its nickname ever since is Maulle (native language for bullets).
On 8 October 2018, Rodgers Yasin was sacked as Nyasa Big Bullets head coach along with assistant Elijah Kananji.[5]
Bullets are currently coached by former Zimbabwe national team manager Callisto Pasuwa, with former captain and Malawi national team defender Peter Mponda as his assistant.
Stadium[]
Kamuzu Stadium is a stadium located in Blantyre, with a capacity of 50,000 seats. It is located next to the Malawi National Council of Sports Offices.
The Blantyre derby[]
The Blantyre derby between Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers is a fiercely contested match and in contrast to most of the other games played in the Malawi TNM Super League, matches between the two rivals always attract a large fanbase.
Honours[]
Domestic[]
- Winners (15): 1986, 1991, 1992, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020–21
- Runners-up (4): 2008, 2012–13, 2016, 2017
Castle Cup (Malawi)
- Winners (4): 1969, 1970, 1973, 1975
Kamuzu Cup
- Winners (7): 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1986
555 Challenge Cup:
- Winners (1): 1990
Embassy Trophy:
- Winners (1): 2003
Chombe Tea:
- Winners (2): 1998, 1999
Carlsberg Cup:
- Winners (3): 2002, 2014, 2017
Tutulane Charity Cup:
- Winners (1): 2007
Carlsberg Charity Cup:
- Winners (1): 2012
Presidential Cup:
- Winners (2): 2012, 2016
Chifundo Charity Shield:
- Winners (3): 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Continent[]
- Runners-up (1): 2021
Performance in CAF competitions[]
- CAF Champions League: 7 appearances
- African Cup of Champions Clubs: 3 appearance
- 1975: Second Round
- 1979: Withdrew in First Round
- 1993: Withdrew in Preliminary Round
- CAF Cup Winners' Cup: 5 appearances
Current Squad 2020–21[]
As of June 2020
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Club officials/Technical team[]
- Chief Executive Officer:
Suzgo Nyirenda - Board President: Konrad Buckle
- Board Members: 1. Stone Mwamadi, 2. Fleetwood Haiya, 3. Malinda Chinyama, 4.Sadick Malinga, 5. Dimitri Kalaitzis, 6.Democrotos Kalaitzis, 7 Rev. Moyenda Kanjerwa, 8. Chifundo Makande, 9.Albert Chigoga, 10. Noel Lipipa, 11. Konrad Buckle, 12. Escort Chinula
- Head Coach:
Kalisto Pasuwa - Assistant coach: Peter Mponda (1st), Heston Munthali (2nd)
- Team Manager: James Chilapondwa
- Goalkeeper Trainer: Swadick Sanudi
- Team Doctor: Felix Mwalule
- Kitmaster: Malumbo Chikoko
- Media Manager: Kimpho Loka
References[]
- ^ "Former Big Bullets most memorable mentor, Team Manager John Gilmore passes on in UK". maraviexpress.com. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ "CAF - CAF Error Page". www.cafonline.com. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- ^ http://championsleague.mtnfootball.com/live/content.php?Item_ID=280[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Match Report - Boston United vs Bakili Bullets". www.bufc.drfox.org.uk. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ Kadewere, Jeromy (9 October 2018). "Malawi: Bullets Sack Coaches After Masters Defeat". Nyasa Times (Leeds). Retrieved 17 December 2018.
External links[]
- Football clubs in Malawi
- Association football clubs established in 1967
- 1967 establishments in Malawi