FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Peter Mponda has stood by his tactical decisions following Sunday’s 1-0 TNM Super League victory over Mafco FC at Champion Stadium.
Mponda made bold changes just 20 minutes into the match, introducing Hassan Kajoke and Maxwell Phodo for Lameck Gamphani and Frank Willard. However, less than 25 minutes later, he withdrew both Kajoke and Phodo for Babatunde Adepoju and Mike Mkwate.
Asked about the early substitutions, Mponda offered a firm response, standing by his choices.
“There are no justifications because I don’t owe anyone any. As a coach, I wanted to win the game, hence making those changes. Yes, some of the substitutes didn’t give me what I wanted, but others did, and I am very happy that in the end, it worked. Like I said before, I would rather take out a player faster than wait to lose the match,” he explained.
It took a late goal from Chikumbutso Salima for the defending champions to secure maximum points and narrow the gap between themselves and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers to just a single point in the title race.
“Result More Important Than Performance”
Reflecting on the overall team performance, Mponda praised his players’ determination despite a below-par display.
“I am very happy with the resilience of my boys. The way we forced a result out of such a tough game, even though we didn’t play well. However, the result is more important than our performance, and I am very happy with the result and the efforts from the players,” he said.
Although the team created several chances, Bullets only managed one goal on the day. Still, the coach remained positive about the overall direction the team is heading.
“I am very happy with how we have performed in these last games. I am particularly happy with the resilience from my players because they kept on pushing even though at some point, the game looked like it was ending in a draw, but we scored, and that’s what matters most,” he added.
Focus Shifts to Final First-Round Fixture
The win followed a 2-0 victory over Mzuzu City Hammers on Thursday, completing a perfect week on the road for Bullets with back-to-back wins in the Northern and Central Regions.
Looking ahead, Mponda stressed the importance of maintaining momentum when Bullets host Karonga United next weekend in the final fixture of the first round.
“It’s a very important game for us because we have already lost two games in Blantyre to Wanderers and Blue Eagles. We need to solidify our home ground advantage to collect maximum points, and that’s what we are looking for in our final game,” he concluded.
