As FCB Nyasa Big Bullets gear up for the much-anticipated Blantyre derby, head coach Peter Mponda is stressing the importance of motivation without pressure.
Bullets travel to Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday to take on fierce rivals Mighty Wanderers in the TNM Super League and Mponda acknowledged the significance of the match and the natural intensity it carries but insisted he doesn’t want to overburden his players.
“Games like these can either make or break a player. A strong performance can generate significant attention for a player. I will say it’s an ordinary game. Yes, the numbers in the stands are huge, but it’s just three points at stake. There’s no pressure, and I don’t want to put pressure on my boys.”
The former Bullets and Malawi captain is instead focused on cultivating a calm and composed atmosphere within the team, urging his squad to stick to their game plan and savor the moment.
Mponda said: “We want to go there and do well, play the way we’ve been playing; we haven’t changed anything, even during our training sessions, [preparations are the same] as we have been preparing for previous matches against Karonga United, Silver Strikers, and any other team.”
Having earned a perfect 18 points from six matches, scoring 20 goals and conceding just once to lead the standings, Mponda observes that Saturday’s 78th Blantyre derby will be a tight contest considering Wanderers’ performance in their first five games.
“We’re heading into this game with a 100 percent record, but our opponents have only dropped two points, which makes it a tight game. We’ve demonstrated defensive resilience while also showcasing our attacking prowess, scoring goals, and achieving a balance between defense and attack.
“Nevertheless, it’s a derby, and these games are typically closely contested, often decided by a single mistake. We must also consider Wanderers’ recent performances, as they’ve shown notable improvement,” he added.
