National Football Coaches Association and legendary coach Kinnah Phiri have faulted FCB Nyasa Bullets on their decision to fire coach Peter Mponda.
The People’s Team announced on Sunday that they had parted ways with Mponda, just a day after they were held to a barren draw by relegation-threatened Mighty Tigers. The result virtually ended their title aspirations following their arch-rivals Mighty Wanderers’ 6-0 thumping of Moyale Barracks.
In 37 matches under Mponda’s tutelage, Bullets won 25, drew five and lost seven, including three defeats to arch-rivals Mighty Wanderers.
The coaches body’s chairperson Aubrey Nankhuni and the Bullets legend said in separate interviews yesterday that the coach’s performance was satisfactory.
Said Nankhuni: “Unless there are other reasons that we do not know, we feel that Mponda performed well.
“He came at a time when more than half of the team’s regular players had left and went on to win the Airtel Top 8.
“With due respect, by their standards, Bullets have an average squad this season and that they were able to compete for the league title to the final stages, was impressive.
“In fact, Bullets have amassed more points this season than last season and Mponda still had a chance to compete for the Castel Cup honours.
“So, as I said, unless there are other reasons, they should have given him the benefit of the doubt. But it all points to the team’s failure to win the league which is unfair considering the circumstances.”
He said they will meet Mponda to appreciate the reasons for his removal.
On his part, Kinnah a Bullets gegend, described the decision as unfair and “driven by emotions”.
He said: “It was a hasty decision, otherwise I do not think they consulted before making that decision.
“If there were some shortfalls that we were noted, they could have waited for the end of the season. After all, coaches are supposed to submit reports and that could have been the good starting point.
“Peter might have some shortfalls just like any other coach, but I think he is one of the most promising coaches we have locally and looking at the lack of depth in the squad, I think the decision to fire him was not right.”
Football analyst Charles Nyirenda said it is hard to give a definitive opinion on the matter because the way it has been handled.
He said: “The actual facts that guided Bullets to speed up the process of releasing the coach with a game to go before the conclusion of the Super League season instead of waiting for the disposal of Castel Challenge Cup competition haven’t been disclosed.
“Since hiring of coaches and achieving objectives aren’t necessarily one and the same thing, it remains to be seen whether salvation lies in changing a manager at the club or they need to do more than that.”
Mponda was given a target to win either the league or two cups in his first season. He won one cup and was in contention for the second one.
Bullets are currently second in the Super League with 63 points from 29 matches, five behind their arch-rivals and champions Mighty Wanderers.
