FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Peter Mponda has provided an update on Clyde Senaji, who has not featured for The People’s Team since the end of May.
The Kenyan defender was last in action during the Blantyre derby on 31 May, where he was substituted in the first half during Bullets’ 1-0 defeat to Mighty Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium.
Since then, he has not been part of the squad for the friendly victory over Moyale Barracks or the 2-0 TNM Super League win against Mighty Tigers.
Mponda: “We’re still waiting to hear from him”
Speaking during Thursday’s pre-match press conference ahead of the Airtel Top 8 semifinal against Karonga United, Mponda offered a detailed response on Senaji’s situation:
“When I was with the national team, I was told he had flu and was out for a week. The following week, he wasn’t training. The coaches were informed that he was waiting to speak to me.
When I finally returned and met him, he told me he had gone to the CEO’s office and asked for a two-week leave. I asked myself — this is the middle of the season, and a player is asking for leave. Is it an emergency? If it were, yes, we would allow it. But it wasn’t. So we don’t know what’s really happening behind the scenes.”
On Senaji’s standing within the squad, Mponda reflected:
“Last season, Senaji featured in fewer than 12 matches. Coming into this season, I gave him the captain’s armband to show trust in him, but along the way, we faced some challenges that made us rethink how best to build team stability.
He’s also found it difficult to break into the starting eleven. As an international player, the expectation is always to bring something extra to the group, and when that’s not happening consistently, we have to consider other options — including local players who are ready to perform.”
He added that the next step will depend on discussions once the player returns.
“We’re still waiting to hear from him after his two-week leave. We’ll need to sit down and find out — is there an issue with the coach or the team? Then we’ll know how to move forward.”
Senaji’s 2025 Season So Far
Senaji has started five of Bullets’ ten matches in all competitions this season, offering experienced cover in central defence. The 27-year-old joined the club in 2023 and extended his contract in 2024, with his current deal running until 2026.
Airtel Top 8 Semifinal on the Horizon
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are preparing to face Karonga United in the Airtel Top 8 semifinal this Saturday, June 21, at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, with kickoff scheduled for 18:00.
The defending champions are targeting a place in the final as they aim to win a record fourth Airtel Top 8 title, having already lifted the trophy in 2021, 2023, and 2024.
