FCB Nyasa Bullets head coach Peter Mponda has promised a strong response from his side as they take on Mzuzu City Hammers in the TNM Super League this afternoon at Rumphi Stadium.
The 17-time champions are eager to bounce back from last weekend’s shock 1-0 home defeat to Blue Eagles at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre which was their third of this season.
Bullets also lost to rivals Mighty Wanderers at the same venue weeks earlier and away to Civil Service United at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
Speaking ahead of today’s match, Mponda said his players are fully aware of the expectations.
Bullets are currently six points behind Wanderers, who are unbeaten. Bullets also have a game in hand.
Said Mponda: “Yes, we are coming from a loss which disappointed our supporters. Everyone is aware that we need to bounce back.
“The players know that they are wearing the colours of a big team and what is needed of them.”
Mponda dismissed suggestions that the title race is slipping away.
He said: “For me, I don’t know why people want to write us off. The team that is above us, is just six points away and we have a game in hand.”
A victory for Bullets would cut the gap to three points before they face Mafco on Sunday.
But Mponda admitted that they need to be at their best in the two away matches.
He said: “We need to collect maximum points in the remaining matches.
“Very tough games, but we don’t want to give excuses that we are playing away. Everywhere is our home. We command a large following wherever we go.”
Meanwhile, Mzuzu City Hammers are also looking to bounce back after a narrow 1-0 loss to Wanderers, where they conceded a late penalty in the 89th minute.
Hammers coach Elias Chirambo insists his team is not afraid of Bullets’ challenge despite sitting second from bottom with just eight points from 15 matches.
He said: “My players put up a spirited performance against Wanderers. We all saw what happened. If it wasn’t for that penalty, we would not have lost that match.
“This time, we are also ready. We will ensure that we collect maximum points.”
With both sides eager to recover from recent setbacks, today’s clash promises to be a fiercely contested encounter.
