Bullets fear relegation, appoint club legend Heston Munthali as interim coach
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have turned to club legend Heston Munthali to rescue their faltering season after the club sacked head coach Gilbert Chirwa amid growing fears of a relegation battle.
The 17-time Super League champions announced Munthali as interim coach on Thursday, just hours after parting ways with Chirwa following a poor start to the TNM Super League campaign.
For a club accustomed to challenging for titles, Bullets find themselves in unfamiliar territory. After five matches, the People’s Team sit sixth on the table with just eight points — only five points above the relegation zone — a position that has alarmed supporters and prompted swift action from the club’s hierarchy.
Bullets Chief Executive Officer Albert Chigoga confirmed that Munthali, who served as assistant coach under Chirwa, will lead the team in Sunday’s league fixture against Moyale Barracks while the club searches for a permanent replacement after the FIFA international window.
“We want to find the coach who understands the vision of the club. Our focus right now is on Sunday’s match and what we want to do from now until the end of the season. We have confidence in Heston Munthali and the entire technical panel,” said Chigoga.
Munthali returns to the dugout as one of the most respected figures in the club’s history. The former Bullets striker is expected to provide stability and inspire a turnaround as the team looks to climb away from the lower reaches of the table.
The decision to dismiss Chirwa has surprised many observers given his overall record. The coach leaves after guiding Bullets to the 2025/26 Castel Challenge Cup title and overseeing a run of eight wins, three draws and just one defeat in 12 matches.
However, the club’s inconsistent league form appears to have outweighed those achievements, with management determined to arrest the slide before the situation deteriorates further.
Munthali’s first assignment will be Sunday’s clash against Moyale Barracks, a match that could set the tone for Bullets’ attempt to revive their season and ease growing concerns among supporters.
The club is expected to announce a substantive head coach after the FIFA international break. The club is reportedly looking for an expatriate.
