A football coach in the FDH Bank Premiership today lives like a man crossing a river on a rope bridge. Below him lies a raging current of expectations and above him hangs the weight of impatient supporters, ambitious club executives and unforgiving social media critics. With one slip, the bridge begins to shake.

Barely weeks after the 2026 FDH  Bank Premiership burst into life, the League has already become a theatre of tubelance where technical benches are trembling.

This far,  two teams have suspended  sets of  men in the technical panel and others were reportedly sent to exile as a warning.

But while football experts view it as a performance driven sacks, sports analysts question timing.

Chirwa shown the exit door as Bullets place their faith in Zambia tactician  Nyirenda

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets recently  parted ways with head coach Gilbert Chirwa following the club's slow start to the 2026 FDH Bank Premiership season.

The People's Team confirmed the development in a statement, bringing an end to Chirwa's brief spell in charge after he had initially taken over on an interim basis following Peter Mponda's departure.

In a statement released by the club, Bullets said: "Bullets and Gilbert Chirwa have agreed to part ways regarding his position as head coach.

"The club sincerely thanks Chirwa for his contribution and wishes him every success in his future endeavours."

Chirwa's departure came at a time when Bullets were struggling to match the pace of title rivals despite remaining unbeaten in the opening weeks of the season. 

A series of draws against Civil Service United, Blue Eagles and Red Lions left the club outside the leading positions and increased pressure on the technical panel.

 Subsequently, the club announced last week that it has placed their faith in experienced Zambian tactician Wedson Nyirenda as the club's new head coach on a two-year contract.

Bullets president Konrad Buckle described Nyirenda as the right man for the job, citing his impressive record across Southern Africa.

"Wedson is a manager  with a  good record and a wealth of experience gained at some of the biggest clubs," Buckle said.

In an interview, Nyirenda said the attraction of joining Malawi's most successful club would have been tough to ignore.

"I am very excited to be here. I am so happy  because I have been appointed head coach of the top club in the land," he said.

The former Zambia national team coach arrives with a reputation as a serial winner, having collected league titles in Zambia and Mozambique and enjoyed cup success in South Africa. 

Efforts to speak to  Chirwa proved futile as his phone went unanswered.

But in an interview, football analyst Parry Chinyama felt the decision was surprising in regards to  Chirwa's record at the club.

"Chirwa has a record that is not as bad as the decision would be portray. He wrapped up the season with momentum," said Chinyama. 

Chirwa leaves having guided Bullets to the Castel Challenge Cup title and a second-place finish in the previous season.

In the FDH premiership , the Palestinians have among others recorded victories over Mighty Wanderers  (2-1) and Mafco Fc ( 1-0).

It stands sixth in the  FDH Premiership with 10 points and seven goals. The team has conceded 5 goals.

Citizenry view as Bullets wield the axe on Chirwa

Henry Kampango, a Bullets fan from Lilongwe, Mtandire, has told Zodiak that the departure of Chirwa became one of the most significant coaching changes of the 2026 FDH Bank Premiership season.

"Bullets are not performing as poorly as many other teams. This may be the result of decisions that involved more technical and strategic solutions, considering that the team was two big for Chirwa," said Kampango.

But Jeffry Chimenya, a football enthusiast from Ndirande in Blantyre said the team's decision was on the right track.

"They have done very well. We needed a   new coach because the team seemed too big for Chirwa," said Chimenya.

Creck wield the axe on Kananji, turn to Mtawali.

Days after being demolished repeatedly in the Elite League, Lilongwe based outfit Creck Sporting FC knifed its Coach ELia Kananji.

Kananji was fired  alongside assistant coach Harrison Saidi and physical trainer Blessings Tembo as the club sought to reverse a poor start to the 2026 season.

The team had still not registered a win in their first five opening matches. 

They had once drawn with MAFCO FC and Red Lions FC , while suffering defeats against Mighty Wanderers , Kamusu Barracks FC and Moyale Barracks FC.

Kananji has told Zodiak in an interview that the team's  decision  was welcomed.

He said briefly; " I accepted the team's decision."

Following his dismissal, FDH Bank Premiership side Creck Sporting Club have appointed former Flames coach Ernest Mtawali as their new head coach.

In an interview, Creck Sporting General Secretary Aaron Mtaya said the club was convinced Mtawali was the right man to steer the team away from danger.

"After reviewing several coaching applications, we were impressed by his track record and believe he will positively contribute to the team's performance," Mtaya said.

Mtaya said  the club's immediate focus was to improve results and move away from the relegation battle.

Speaking separately , the former Malawi national team coach said he was excited to have the team's  trust and paid tribute to his predecessor, insisting that Kananji had laid a solid foundation.

"I am very happy to be entrusted with the role to uplift the performance of Creck sporting. 

"But I must also say that the team has benefited from the strong foundation established by Coach Eliya Kananji, but misfortune played a part in their underwhelming performance," said Mtawali.

But despite  his dismissal, Kananji maintained that the team's fortunes were beginning to improve and suggested results would have changed had he been given more time.
 
"With the squad beginning to find its rhythm, I believed performances would improve going forward. Nevertheless, the team's owners have chosen a different path, and we have to abide by it," he said.

But a sports analyst Henry Gome said Creck lacked intense squad preparations at the onset of the League.

"The team had  not bought new players to beef up their squad and that would amount  to their tactics being studied already by their rivals,"  he said.

Ekhaya FC once sent Chatama to exile

Ekhaya FC found themselves at the centre of controversy early in the 2026 season after reports emerged suggesting that head coach Enos Chatama had been relieved of his duties following the team's disappointing start to the campaign.

The Cowboys lost 2-1 to Blue Eagles in their opening fixture before being held to a 1-1 draw by Red Lions, results that fuelled speculation about Chatama's future at the club. 

Reports had it  that the coach had been suspended and that Technical Director Leonard Odipo was set to take over the team. However, Ekhaya FC officials strongly denied the claims.

The  club's General Secretary Thando Mhango dismissed reports that Odipo had replaced Chatama, saying: "Reports suggesting that Odipo is now our head coach are not true."

Mhango further stated, "Chatama was not fired. He was just on a three-week leave."

But in an interview  with local media weeks ago, Chatama described  his absence as voluntary. 

"I was just resting," he said. 

The club subsequently announced that assistant coaches Moses Chavula and Fundi Akidu would oversee the team during Chatama's absence.

 Analysts questioned whether the move was linked to the club's poor results or part of a wider restructuring following the arrival of Kenyan Technical Director Leonard Odipo.

In an interview Hamdan Nyirongo said ; " yes it might be a voluntary leave but it has been effected at an ill time."

For now, Ekhaya maintains that Chatama remains their head coach and has not been dismissed, although speculation over his long-term future continues.

Dedza Dynamos Coach axed, reinstated

Earlier this FDH Bank Premiership season, Dedza Dynamos suspended head coach Alex Ngwira and his technical team because of the club's poor start to the campaign. 

However, the suspension was reversed the very same day after intervention from the club owner, and Ngwira was reinstated and returned to training.

Prior to the suspension, Ngwira had reportedly been handed a three-match ultimatum as management sought an immediate improvement in results.

The move came after a string of poor results left the central region outfit rooted to the bottom of the league table and under increasing pressure from supporters and club officials.

Dedza Dynamos failed to register a victory in their opening matches and their struggles continued with heavy defeats, including a 4-0 loss to Masters FC that deepened the club's crisis.

Club chairperson Gerald Chawezi Kampanikiza attributed the team's poor form to disciplinary problems and leadership challenges within the squad.

"Indiscipline among some players had negatively affected the team's performance and that the technical panel had been advised to take firm action against misconduct," said Kampanikiza.

Tactical expert weigh-in on performance oriented contracts

In an exclusive interview, veteran football coach Kina Phiri has said that coaching stints are judged by performance, and regular reviews are a normal part of the process.

"The dismissal  of coaches is done world - wide. When it comes to performance , everywhere in the world, the owners of the teams do not have patience. It becomes a problem," said Phiri.

Phiri  stressed  that coaches and teams should clearly communicate performance expectations before contracts are signed. 

He noted that without this early clarity, some players or staff may enter agreements without fully understanding what is required of them.

"The responsibility should go both ways before either side starts blaming the other. When a contract is signed without one party fully understanding it, performance may be affected because expectations may not align with the other party’s understanding and beliefs. If this is addressed from the beginning, everyone will be able to work more harmoniously and effectively," said Phiri.