Big Bullets
Encyclopedia
Big Bullets is a Malawi
an football (soccer)
club based in Blantyre
and by unconfirmed statistics, Malawi’s popular football club and has dominated the country’s major soccer league, TNM Super League, since it was formed in 1967.
BB is arguably the most known and successful football team in Malawi. It is currently playing in the TNM Super League and has played in the top flight league since its inception in 1967. It set a record for 7 successive title defences before surrendering it about five years ago, due to financial problems. During its enviable life,the Big Bullets have won every honor in the Country.Beyond borders also,the side left its indelible mark;way back in 1979,the Club won a bronze medal in the East and Central Africa Club Championship hosted by Somalia.Four years earlier,Big Bullets were the pioneer side to join the Africa Club Championship competition.
Big Bullets Football Club (BB) also known as the ‘Peoples Team’.The club was originally formed in 1967 with an innovative and exciting approach to establishing a successful club in the country. Since its formation, the club remains the most successful, winning many championships and club cup competitions.
BB is called the “PEOPLE’S TEAM” – a team that is the heart and soul of close to three million Malawians. It is a team that is also said to immortalise the spirits – “TIMU YA MIZIMU”
People cannot talk of football in Malawi without BB being part of that talk. Supporters of Big Bullets Football Club span across all the facets of politics and religion. BB is legendary and famed for many reasons, most important of which is its huge home success.
The club was formed by a group of players in Blantyre in 1967 from its local archrivals Mighty Wanderers by then was composed of only Whites and Colored,all blacks were sidelined because of this reason all blacks players thought wise to come up with their own team which was known as Nyasaland Bullets.The team was very strong and started winning all games which were played.BB and Mighty Wanderers rivalry started because of Yasin Osman in 1968 after shown interest to join Bullets FC,Wanderers Fans were very furious and decided to sell him at 100 Malawian pounds.Yasin Osman went into Malawi Soccer History being a first player to be sold.The history of the rivalry between MTL Wanderers and Big Bullets could be likened to that of Everton F.C.
and Liverpool F.C.
of the FA Premier League
. Just like the latter, Big Bullets was formed out of MTL Wanderers in the late 1960s and have enjoyed more success than the ‘parent’ club.Many of those players went on to be legends in the history of the game of football in Malawi .
The club got its first name, Bata Bullets, because of the fact that Bata Shoe Company was the first sponsor of the team. The majority of its players at the time ended up being employed by Bata Shoe Company. Over the years, BB has been the biggest contributor to the Malawi National Team both at senior and at youth levels.
Malawian soccer legends such as Kinnah Electric Phiri, Charles Kagwa, Henry Moyo, Kanjedza Kamwendo, Damiano Malefula, Yasin Osman, Henry Kapalamula, Mustafa Munshi, Dennis Saidi, Spy Msiska,Elywin Mwafulirwa,Mike Mkuntha,Bosco Munthali,Thom Kazembe,Topsy Msuku,Harvest Kanyenda,Tonny Mkandawire,Ngulube,Greyson Simika,Elton Mkondowaguluka, Harry Barbed Waya, Lawrence Lule Waya, Gilbert Chirwa, Chauncy Vinny Gondwe, Mabvuto Lungu and Patrick Mabedi just to mention a few are some of the players that have come from the team’s ranks.Kinnah Phiri is current coach for Malawi National Team
Recent stars plying their trade in South Africa such as Peter Mponda, Robert Ng’ambi, Fisher Kondowe, Grant Lungu, Jimmy Zakazaka ,Sankhani Mkandawire and Swadick Sanudi have also sprung out of the Big Bullets FC.
In regard to the club activities, the Executive Committee is seeking to lock down the principles that will serve us well moving forward. Words are easy to put on a page but we are committed to “walking the talk” and branding ourselves as truly the “People’s Team”.
The club has already implemented a business plan addressing the club house so as to promote the club to generate its own revenue and resources.The team in total has won forty one (41) cups in which eleven titles are for leagues, including the record setting seven titles whose sequence was broken by their sworn rivals, MTL Wanderers
in 2006.
While the Bullets have had unparalleled success on the field of play, the same cannot be said of their sponsorship. Bankrolled by the shoe making company, Bata Shoe Company, since its formation (and known as "Bata Bullets"), the people’s team (as it is popularly known in Malawi), faced uncertainty when that marriage was dissolved in 2000. The oil giant, Total Malawi, took over and renamed it Total Big Bullets, sponsoring the team for the next two years before the arrangement was terminated.
In 2003, the then Malawi’s 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 2004http://www.cafonline.com/left_index.php?head=2004&loc=years_cl_pastcomp/2004.htmhttp://championsleague.mtnfootball.com/live/content.php?Item_ID=280.
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
http://www.bufc.drfox.org.uk/N190703.html.
But it was a feat never to be repeated as Muluzi, now of power, opted out of the sponsorship arrangement in 2004. This left the team in a clutch, and in keeping with the acronym ‘BB’, the team’s faithful changed the name to Big Bullets. The team completed two seasons, 2005 and 2006, without sponsorship but in late December 2006, the people’s team secured a sponsorship deal with a South African-based but Malawi-owned company, Cifu Group owned by the Msiska twins, Fumu and Phaskani. However this year 2010 has seen Bullets F.C struggling beyond doubt. Currently the team has no official sponsor following the termination of its contract with Bullets Holdings who could no longer financially aid the team. The team has since experienced its major loss of players this season because of lack of sponsorship. Bullets F.C also known as the People's Team has since embarked in various fundraisers to maintain survival but in a world controlled by money it has not been easy yet the team manages to cling on to its last pieces.
The formation of a brand new Executive Committee for the 2011-12 football season will hopefully see us reach the success experienced in the late 1960s and beyond. The main focus for the committee is to raise the profile of the club, and offer a family friendly, supportive organization to attract new players, sponsors and supporters to our club.
Some of the biggest names in the Bullets F.C of today include Goalkeepers Swadick Sanudi,MacDonald Harawa,Vincet Gona,Kingsley Manda, brilliant defenders Chikumbutso Jet Lee Kanyenda,Yamikani Fodya,Yamikani Tambala,Wyson Nkana Midfielders Douglas Section 65 Chirambo,Fundi Akidu Lufeyo Jeresi,Henry Kabichi,Luka Zaire Muyawa,Wyle Tembenu,Luka Jere Strikers Gabhadinyo Mhango,Gofrey Musonda,Komani Msiska,Mpetiwa and Divarson Mlozi who is the past season have shown great games to their supporters.
, with a capacity of 50,000 seats. It is located next to the Malawi National Council of Sports Offices (Sports House).
John Banda
Andrew Chikhosi Jonnes Nkhwazi Chikondi Banda James Chilapondwa James Chimera Emmanuel Chipatala Navigator Dzinkambani Harvest Kanyenda Henry Kapalamula Thom Kazembe Fisher Kondowe
Patrick Mabedi
Tonny Mkandawire Mike Mkuntha Mabvuto Lungu
Peter Mponda
Maupo Msowoya
Topsy Msuku Bosco Munthali Elywn Mwafulirwa Muzipasi Mwangonde Wisdom Ndhlovu Robert Ng'ambi
Elton Nkondowaguluka Denis Saidi Greyson Simika John Phiri McDonald Yobe
Jimmy Zakazaka
Henry Moyo Charles Kagwa Henry kapalamula Elton Nkondowaguluka Elywn Mwafulirwa Bosco Munthali John Banda
Gilbert Chirwa Peter Mponda
Spy Msiska Dennis Saidi Lawrence Waya
Harry Waya Mabvuto Lungu John Phiri Jonnes Nkhwazi
Malawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
an football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club based in Blantyre
Blantyre, Malawi
Blantyre or Mandala is Malawi's centre of finance and commerce, the largest city with an estimated 732,518 inhabitants . It is sometimes referred to as the commercial capital of Malawi as opposed to the political capital, Lilongwe...
and by unconfirmed statistics, Malawi’s popular football club and has dominated the country’s major soccer league, TNM Super League, since it was formed in 1967.
History
Big Bullets is best supported and most successful team ever in the football history of Malawi and current estimates of its support base ranges between 1,500,000 and 3,000,000 soccer followers across the length and breadth of the country.To establish a true reflection of the Clubs dedicated fans,It is intended to register all BB Supporters through Regions and Districts Zones, and enter their details in a database. This information, apart from assisting BB, can also be commercially exploited and be a market research tool.BB is arguably the most known and successful football team in Malawi. It is currently playing in the TNM Super League and has played in the top flight league since its inception in 1967. It set a record for 7 successive title defences before surrendering it about five years ago, due to financial problems. During its enviable life,the Big Bullets have won every honor in the Country.Beyond borders also,the side left its indelible mark;way back in 1979,the Club won a bronze medal in the East and Central Africa Club Championship hosted by Somalia.Four years earlier,Big Bullets were the pioneer side to join the Africa Club Championship competition.
Big Bullets Football Club (BB) also known as the ‘Peoples Team’.The club was originally formed in 1967 with an innovative and exciting approach to establishing a successful club in the country. Since its formation, the club remains the most successful, winning many championships and club cup competitions.
BB is called the “PEOPLE’S TEAM” – a team that is the heart and soul of close to three million Malawians. It is a team that is also said to immortalise the spirits – “TIMU YA MIZIMU”
People cannot talk of football in Malawi without BB being part of that talk. Supporters of Big Bullets Football Club span across all the facets of politics and religion. BB is legendary and famed for many reasons, most important of which is its huge home success.
The club was formed by a group of players in Blantyre in 1967 from its local archrivals Mighty Wanderers by then was composed of only Whites and Colored,all blacks were sidelined because of this reason all blacks players thought wise to come up with their own team which was known as Nyasaland Bullets.The team was very strong and started winning all games which were played.BB and Mighty Wanderers rivalry started because of Yasin Osman in 1968 after shown interest to join Bullets FC,Wanderers Fans were very furious and decided to sell him at 100 Malawian pounds.Yasin Osman went into Malawi Soccer History being a first player to be sold.The history of the rivalry between MTL Wanderers and Big Bullets could be likened to that of Everton F.C.
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
and Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
of the FA Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
. Just like the latter, Big Bullets was formed out of MTL Wanderers in the late 1960s and have enjoyed more success than the ‘parent’ club.Many of those players went on to be legends in the history of the game of football in Malawi .
The club got its first name, Bata Bullets, because of the fact that Bata Shoe Company was the first sponsor of the team. The majority of its players at the time ended up being employed by Bata Shoe Company. Over the years, BB has been the biggest contributor to the Malawi National Team both at senior and at youth levels.
Malawian soccer legends such as Kinnah Electric Phiri, Charles Kagwa, Henry Moyo, Kanjedza Kamwendo, Damiano Malefula, Yasin Osman, Henry Kapalamula, Mustafa Munshi, Dennis Saidi, Spy Msiska,Elywin Mwafulirwa,Mike Mkuntha,Bosco Munthali,Thom Kazembe,Topsy Msuku,Harvest Kanyenda,Tonny Mkandawire,Ngulube,Greyson Simika,Elton Mkondowaguluka, Harry Barbed Waya, Lawrence Lule Waya, Gilbert Chirwa, Chauncy Vinny Gondwe, Mabvuto Lungu and Patrick Mabedi just to mention a few are some of the players that have come from the team’s ranks.Kinnah Phiri is current coach for Malawi National Team
Recent stars plying their trade in South Africa such as Peter Mponda, Robert Ng’ambi, Fisher Kondowe, Grant Lungu, Jimmy Zakazaka ,Sankhani Mkandawire and Swadick Sanudi have also sprung out of the Big Bullets FC.
In regard to the club activities, the Executive Committee is seeking to lock down the principles that will serve us well moving forward. Words are easy to put on a page but we are committed to “walking the talk” and branding ourselves as truly the “People’s Team”.
The club has already implemented a business plan addressing the club house so as to promote the club to generate its own revenue and resources.The team in total has won forty one (41) cups in which eleven titles are for leagues, including the record setting seven titles whose sequence was broken by their sworn rivals, MTL Wanderers
MTL Wanderers
MTL Wanderers are a Malawian football club based in Blantyre. They are one of Malawi's greatest and successful football clubs.-History:...
in 2006.
While the Bullets have had unparalleled success on the field of play, the same cannot be said of their sponsorship. Bankrolled by the shoe making company, Bata Shoe Company, since its formation (and known as "Bata Bullets"), the people’s team (as it is popularly known in Malawi), faced uncertainty when that marriage was dissolved in 2000. The oil giant, Total Malawi, took over and renamed it Total Big Bullets, sponsoring the team for the next two years before the arrangement was terminated.
In 2003, the then Malawi’s president Bakili Muluzi
Bakili Muluzi
Elson Bakili Muluzi is a Malawian politician. He was the President of Malawi from 1994 to 2004 and was Chairman of the United Democratic Front until 2009.-Presidency:...
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 2004http://www.cafonline.com/left_index.php?head=2004&loc=years_cl_pastcomp/2004.htmhttp://championsleague.mtnfootball.com/live/content.php?Item_ID=280.
It was also during the same period that the club had a training camp in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in readiness for the CAF Champions League
CAF Champions League
The CAF Champions League is an annual international club football competition run by the Confederation of African Football . The top club sides from Africa's football leagues are invited to participate in this competition, which is the premier club football competition on the continent and the...
http://www.bufc.drfox.org.uk/N190703.html.
But it was a feat never to be repeated as Muluzi, now of power, opted out of the sponsorship arrangement in 2004. This left the team in a clutch, and in keeping with the acronym ‘BB’, the team’s faithful changed the name to Big Bullets. The team completed two seasons, 2005 and 2006, without sponsorship but in late December 2006, the people’s team secured a sponsorship deal with a South African-based but Malawi-owned company, Cifu Group owned by the Msiska twins, Fumu and Phaskani. However this year 2010 has seen Bullets F.C struggling beyond doubt. Currently the team has no official sponsor following the termination of its contract with Bullets Holdings who could no longer financially aid the team. The team has since experienced its major loss of players this season because of lack of sponsorship. Bullets F.C also known as the People's Team has since embarked in various fundraisers to maintain survival but in a world controlled by money it has not been easy yet the team manages to cling on to its last pieces.
The formation of a brand new Executive Committee for the 2011-12 football season will hopefully see us reach the success experienced in the late 1960s and beyond. The main focus for the committee is to raise the profile of the club, and offer a family friendly, supportive organization to attract new players, sponsors and supporters to our club.
Some of the biggest names in the Bullets F.C of today include Goalkeepers Swadick Sanudi,MacDonald Harawa,Vincet Gona,Kingsley Manda, brilliant defenders Chikumbutso Jet Lee Kanyenda,Yamikani Fodya,Yamikani Tambala,Wyson Nkana Midfielders Douglas Section 65 Chirambo,Fundi Akidu Lufeyo Jeresi,Henry Kabichi,Luka Zaire Muyawa,Wyle Tembenu,Luka Jere Strikers Gabhadinyo Mhango,Gofrey Musonda,Komani Msiska,Mpetiwa and Divarson Mlozi who is the past season have shown great games to their supporters.
Kamuzu Stadium
Kamuzu Stadium is a stadium located in BlantyreBlantyre
The name Blantyre may refer to several things:Malawi*Blantyre District — Blantyre, a district of Malawi**Blantyre, Malawi — Blantyre, a city of Malawi...
, with a capacity of 50,000 seats. It is located next to the Malawi National Council of Sports Offices (Sports House).
The Blantyre derby
The Blantyre derby between Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers is one of the most fiercely contested matches in world football, and in contrast to most of the other games played in the Malawi TNM Soccer League, matches between the two rivals always attract a large fanbase.Achievements
- Castle Cup: 4
-
- 1969,1970,1973.1975
- Kamuzu Cup: 7
- 1974,1975,1979,1980,1981,1983,1986
- 555 Challenge Cup:1
- 1990
- BAT Sportman Trophy:3
- 1999,2001,2002
- Embassy Trophy:1
- 2003
- Chombe Tea:2
- 1998,1999
- Carlsberg CupCarlsberg CupThe Lunar New Year Cup, also known as the Carlsberg Challenge or the Carlsberg Cup before, is an annual football tournament organised in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong Football Association, established on 1948. It is usually held on the first and the fourth day of the Chinese New Year as a part of...
:1
- Carlsberg Cup
- 2002
- TNM Super League: 11
- 1986, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
- Tutulane Charity Cup: 1
- 2007
- 1969,1970,1973.1975
Performance in CAF competitions
- CAF Champions LeagueCAF Champions LeagueThe CAF Champions League is an annual international club football competition run by the Confederation of African Football . The top club sides from Africa's football leagues are invited to participate in this competition, which is the premier club football competition on the continent and the...
: 2 appearances
- African Cup of Champions Clubs: 3 appearance
-
- 1975African Cup of Champions Clubs 1975The African Cup of Champions Clubs 1975 was the 11th edition of the annual international club football competition held in the CAF region , the African Cup of Champions Clubs...
: Second Round - 1979African Cup of Champions Clubs 1979The African Cup of Champions Clubs 1979 was the 15th edition of the annual international club football competition held in the CAF region , the African Cup of Champions Clubs...
: withdrew in First Round - 1993African Cup of Champions Clubs 1993The African Cup of Champions Clubs 1993 was the 28th edition of the annual international club football competition held in the CAF region , the African Cup of Champions Clubs...
: withdrew in Preliminary Round
- 1975
- CAF Cup Winners' Cup: 5 appearances
-
- 1976 - First Round
- 1977 - Second Round
- 1997 - First Round
- 1998 - Preliminary Round
- 1999 - First Round
Current Squad 2011-12
As of September 9, 2011Club officials/Technical team
- Executive chairman:
Malinda Chinyama - Head Coach: Eddington Ngonamo
- Assistant coaches: Gerald Phiri & Lloyd Nkhwazi
- Goalkeeper Trainer: Herthwick Nkumbaleza
- Team Doctor: Ken Mvula
CAF Squad 2003
Former players
kinnah PhiriKinnah Phiri
Kinnah Phiri is a former Malawian footballer and coach currently managing the Malawian national team.-Career:Born in Blantyre, Kinnah began playing football for local side Big Bullets F.C., and in 1982 was offered a contract by Saudi Arabian club Sharjah. He was not allowed to leave the country,...
John Banda
Christopher John Banda
Christopher-John Banda was an Malawian footballer.-International career:A long time member of the Malawi national football team, has competed for his national team from 1996 and played his last three games 2009, his last international game was two days for his death against Guinea national...
Andrew Chikhosi Jonnes Nkhwazi Chikondi Banda James Chilapondwa James Chimera Emmanuel Chipatala Navigator Dzinkambani Harvest Kanyenda Henry Kapalamula Thom Kazembe Fisher Kondowe
Fisher Kondowe
Fisher Kondowe is a Malawian football player who currently plays for Black Leopards in South Africa. His position is midfielder.-External links:* at National Football Teams...
Patrick Mabedi
Patrick Mabedi
Patrick Mabedi is a Malawian football player who currently plays for Moroka Swallows in South Africa. His position is defender. He also played for the country's national team for a long time...
Tonny Mkandawire Mike Mkuntha Mabvuto Lungu
Peter Mponda
Peter Mponda
Peter Mponda is a Malawian footballer who currently plays for Santos Football Club in South Africa. He plays as a central defender and is the captain of the Malawi national team.-External links:...
Maupo Msowoya
Maupo Msowoya
Maupo Msowoya is a Malawian footballer, who currently plays for ESCOM United.-International career:Msowoya played for the Malawi national football team and is part of the team competing at the 2010 African Cup of Nations....
Topsy Msuku Bosco Munthali Elywn Mwafulirwa Muzipasi Mwangonde Wisdom Ndhlovu Robert Ng'ambi
Robert Ng'ambi
Robert Ng'ambi is a Malawian football player who currently plays for Platinum Stars in the South African Premier Soccer League. His position is midfielder.- External links :* at National Football Teams...
Elton Nkondowaguluka Denis Saidi Greyson Simika John Phiri McDonald Yobe
McDonald Yobe
McDonald Yobe is a retired Malawian footballer who played as a midfielder or striker.-Career:Yobe was the first player to be transferred for 1 million kwacha when he moved from Telecom Wanderers to local rival Big Bullets...
Jimmy Zakazaka
Jimmy Zakazaka
Jimmy Zakazaka is a Malawian football player who currently plays for African Warriors F.C. in South Africa. His position is striker.-Clubs:*-2005 : Bakili Bullets*2005-2007 : Free State Stars F.C....
Notable players
Kinnah PhiriKinnah Phiri
Kinnah Phiri is a former Malawian footballer and coach currently managing the Malawian national team.-Career:Born in Blantyre, Kinnah began playing football for local side Big Bullets F.C., and in 1982 was offered a contract by Saudi Arabian club Sharjah. He was not allowed to leave the country,...
Henry Moyo Charles Kagwa Henry kapalamula Elton Nkondowaguluka Elywn Mwafulirwa Bosco Munthali John Banda
Christopher John Banda
Christopher-John Banda was an Malawian footballer.-International career:A long time member of the Malawi national football team, has competed for his national team from 1996 and played his last three games 2009, his last international game was two days for his death against Guinea national...
Gilbert Chirwa Peter Mponda
Peter Mponda
Peter Mponda is a Malawian footballer who currently plays for Santos Football Club in South Africa. He plays as a central defender and is the captain of the Malawi national team.-External links:...
Spy Msiska Dennis Saidi Lawrence Waya
Lawrence Waya
Lawrence Waya is a former Malawi international football player and manager.-Club career:Born in the village of Mphonde in Phalombe District, Waya joined local club Bata Bullets in 1980...
Harry Waya Mabvuto Lungu John Phiri Jonnes Nkhwazi