FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Peter Mponda has for the first time spoken about the departure of club captain Lloyd Aaron, following the club’s agreement with Qatari side Muaither Sports Club for the midfielder’s transfer.
Aaron, who joined Bullets at the start of the 2024 season from Civil Service United, leaves The People’s Team after a successful one-and-a-half-year spell during which he made 54 appearances and won two Airtel Top 8 titles, including last Sunday’s triumph at Bingu National Stadium.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s TNM Super League fixture against Blue Eagles at Kamuzu Stadium, Mponda admitted that Aaron’s departure represents a significant loss—but expressed confidence in the depth of his squad.
“We’ve unfortunately lost our captain, someone who was highly influential both on and off the pitch. It’s certainly a big loss for us,” Mponda said. “But I strongly believe we have players within the squad who can step up and fill that gap. Yes, the boots are big, but we have capable individuals ready to rise to the occasion and deliver for this club.”
The Bullets coach highlighted that central midfield remains one of the few positions with sufficient cover, and Aaron’s exit presents an opportunity for other players to prove themselves.
“If there’s one area where we’ve always had depth, it’s central midfield. Now it’s time for the players who haven’t been featuring regularly to step forward and help the team,” he explained. “I’ve always said their time would come, and now is that time—they need to show up and take us forward.”
Mponda also addressed the issue of captaincy following Aaron’s exit, assuring that the squad remains rich in leadership.
“We had a vice captain in place and several senior players in the squad. This team is not short of leaders,” he stated. “We’re still deliberating on who takes over the armband, but I have full confidence in the leadership group we have.”
Midfielder Frank Willard served as Aaron’s first vice captain and is among the top candidates to assume leadership responsibilities as Bullets push on in their 2025 campaign.
Aaron’s final appearance for the club came in the Airtel Top 8 Final against Silver Strikers, where he lifted the trophy as captain.
Everyone at FCB Nyasa Big Bullets continues to wish him success as he embarks on a new journey with Muaither SC in Qatar.
