Peter Mponda has provided the latest team news ahead of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ FDH Bank Cup Round of 32 encounter against Chilumba Barracks at Chitipa Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The head coach offered updates on new signings Khumbo Banda and Bright Munthali’s readiness, as well as the injury situations of Andrew Jovinala and Blessings Mpokera.
Banda and Munthali in contention
Our two recent additions, Khumbo Banda and Bright Munthali, have been named in the 26-man travelling squad to Chitipa. Both missed out on the matchday squad in last weekend’s 3-3 TNM Super League draw with Karonga United, but the gaffer says they could make their debuts on Sunday.
“In terms of fitness, they are okay, but we are still trying to see if they can coordinate well with the rest of the players,” Mponda told Bullets Media. “They are in the squad, in contention, but it’s an important game where we don’t want to try players – we want to play and win.”
Jovinala and Mpokera doubtful
Midfielders Andrew Jovinala and Blessings Mpokera trained separately from the main group on Friday morning at Chitipa Stadium as they continue to recover from knocks picked up in recent matches.
“Those two and Crispin Mapemba are out,” Mponda confirmed. “Mapemba is a long-term injury. For Mpokera and Jovinala, it’s 50-50 – they might be in the team, they might not be. We don’t want to aggravate their injuries and risk them missing more games. We are managing them so they might be available against Chitipa United next Saturday in the TNM Super League.”
The People’s Team will be looking to advance to the Round of 16 as we play our first-ever match at Chitipa Stadium, marking a historic trip to the far north.
