FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Peter Mponda faced the media on Thursday to discuss a number of issues as The People’s Team prepare for another Blantyre derby against Mighty Wanderers in the FDH Bank Cup semifinal at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Bullets mentor admitted that last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Wanderers in the TNM Super League was painful but said his focus this week has been on lifting the players’ morale and restoring confidence going into the crucial 14:30 kickoff.
He also expressed belief that his squad will rise to the occasion, describing the mood in camp as positive as Bullets look to reach another cup final.
Below is the full transcript of the pre-match press conference:
On moving on from last Sunday’s defeat
As a coach, I have the responsibility to lift the spirits of the players. Losing 3-0 to Wanderers was very painful. It was a defeat from a very bad performance and very discouraging to the players, looking at the hard work they put in training. Their performance on that day was flat — we were failing to do anything. My only job is to encourage them, instil belief in them that we can go again and try to get ourselves into the final.
On lessons learnt from the defeat
As a coach, I look at my players. The way we played on that day, the way we trained in the week before that 90 minutes, and the way we performed were totally different.
Before that game, I came for an interview and said we were ready for them. I had a good feeling because the team was improving, but on the day, the outcome was totally different. We have talked, we have analysed, and we have seen where we fell short. This time around, we need to make our supporters happy.
On what needs to be done for the players to recover from the defeat
There is nothing special that we need to do. Just the game itself is motivation — it’s a chance for them to get to the final. If we win, our supporters will start believing in us again. They will forget the humiliation we suffered last Sunday, and I strongly believe that the way we have been training this week, we are going to get it right this time around.
On what will motivate the players to reach another final after already winning a cup this season
That’s the motivation. We know we already have [the Airtel Top 8] cup in our cabinet, and we also know that we have a chance to get to the final and compete for another cup. That’s a big motivation and another reason for the players to come to training and work hard.
On the current mood in camp ahead of the match
From what I am seeing in training, I am very happy with their response. But my only concern is the behaviour of some of our supporters.
I don’t think it’s proper to insult the players because it’s me who selects them. If there’s anything, they should come to me and talk, rather than criticising the players — because we still need them. We lost to Wanderers, but we will need the same players to play for us this week.
On what he is expecting from the players on Sunday
Like I said earlier, we lost to Wanderers not because of tactical sharpness. We lost because we were flat and they were working harder than us. I don’t think we need to adjust or change anything. We just need to go there and play our normal game like the way we have been playing this season.
On Yankho Singo’s recovery and availability
He’s looking good in training. Yes, we know that he’s coming from an injury, but the way he’s training, he’s definitely in contention for being selected. We haven’t yet decided and will wait until Saturday, but the way he’s training, it’s looking good.
On criticism over team selection from last weekend’s match
I don’t have to defend anything. I’m the one who spends time with the players — four to five hours a day, training them. We know who is performing, so in terms of selection, it’s all on me. Like I said, I take full responsibility because I’m the one who fields the players.
