FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Peter Mponda addressed the media on Friday afternoon ahead of our highly anticipated TNM Super League clash against defending champions Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday.
The Maule boss touched on the team’s preparations, provided an update on Chrispin Mapemba’s long-term injury, discussed Lameck Gamphani’s contention for selection, and gave his thoughts on the challenge of facing the Bankers.
Mponda also spoke about the performances of Aaron Chilipa, who recently made his first full start, and the progress of Peter Banda, who continues to build sharpness after returning from surgery.
On the team’s preparations
“The preparations are going on very well. All the players are training apart from Chrispin Mapemba, who is still nursing his injury.
We are in a good space, and the players are feeling it. They have worked hard to get where they are, and confidence is booming in the team. We are looking forward to the game.”
On expectations from Silver Strikers
“They are a very good team. They are the defending champions, and they are also involved in the CAF Champions League, which is a plus for them because the experience they are gaining will help them.
But like I said, we feel good. We are in a very good space and buzzing with confidence.”
On Lameck Gamphani’s absence
“It’s very difficult to answer when you have already analysed. You have said that he was on top, but I don’t remember him playing the full 90 minutes.
He is part of the team, he is a good player, but we also have Peter Banda, Chikumbutso Salima, Babatunde Adepoju, Hassan Kajoke. Everyone is on top of his game.
I don’t think singling out Gamphani is fair to the team, and insinuating there are issues with the player is also wrong because I treat every player equally. The ones who are working hard and whom I feel are ready are the ones selected.
He is in contention for selection, but we will see what happens at the end of the week.”
On facing his former club
“Of course, the pressure is and has always been there. Yes, we beat them 1-0 in the first round, but that wasn’t the only victory. We also beat them in the Airtel Top 8 Cup final.
So they will come hard because they have nothing to lose in this game. We know the pressure and the task, but the guys are ready.”
On the key message to the players
“The keyword is how we have worked hard to get to position one. We cannot give it up so easily.
We know Silver Strikers are the defending champions and they will give us a tough game, but we believe that by the end of 90 minutes, we will carry the day.”
On the secret to winning games
“I don’t think anything has changed from day one to this day. We have been doing well and winning games.
If you compare this season with the last two seasons, in terms of points gained and goals scored, we are ahead. So I cannot say something changed in the second round.
We are just taking one game at a time, and we know that every three points count.”
On Aaron Chilipa’s debut
“He is a very good player. He is very confident on the ball and hard in tackling. He is a very good addition to the team.”
On Peter Banda’s fitness
“He is not yet where we want him to be in terms of fitness because he stayed a long time without playing games, but slowly he is getting there.
I should also give credit to the team for taking a risk, because not every team can do what we did. Slowly, it is paying off.”
Looking ahead to Sunday
The showdown with Silver Strikers is set for Sunday, 5 October, at Kamuzu Stadium, with kickoff at 14:30 CAT.
With Bullets leading the TNM Super League table and the Bankers pushing from third, all eyes will be on this heavyweight clash in Blantyre.
