FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Peter Mponda believes Thursday’s 2-0 away victory over Mzuzu City Hammers provides a platform to build momentum as The People’s Team returned to winning ways in the TNM Super League.
Late goals from Chikumbutso Salima and Hassan Kajoke at Rumphi Stadium handed Bullets a crucial three points following back-to-back defeats to Civil Service United and Blue Eagles, which had left us six points behind log leaders Mighty Wanderers.
“It was a very scrappy game as we didn’t play the way we always play,” Mponda told journalists. “We forced the game to get a result, and this was more important than the performance. I am very happy that we got the much-needed result.”
On a dry and windy afternoon up North, Bullets struggled to impose their usual rhythm in the first half and were made to work for every opportunity. However, a tactical reshuffle at the break and the introduction of fresh legs proved decisive in the closing stages.
“Everything was okay, but we were trying to find the keys to unlock their defence, which was very solid. That’s why we made some changes at the start of the second half. Credit must go to the players for adapting well. They really fought for these points,” Mponda added.
The win trimmed Wanderers’ lead at the summit to just three points, with both sides having played 13 games. For Mponda, the result was as significant psychologically as it was mathematically.
“We need to build our confidence from this result, not necessarily the performance,” he explained. “We were playing a very good team, and they were strong defensively. We should be encouraged by how we managed to get these points. It’s a very good place to build from.”
Despite the morale boost, the Bullets boss acknowledged the pressure remains.
“We dropped crucial points at home, and we needed to recover them. Like I said, credit must go to the players for the gallant fight. The way they searched for these points really showed how eager they were to win.
“Pressure will always be with us because we are the biggest team in Malawi. This win won’t take that pressure away, and we should always expect to play under it.”
Bullets now travel to Mponela, where we will face Mafco FC at Champions Stadium on Sunday as we look to wrap up the Northern and Central Region road trip with another positive result.
