Mpinganjira talks tough

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers president Thom Mpinganjira has said the Nomads’ reserve team players have brutally exposed their seniors’ ineffectiveness by winning a double.

The business mogul and philanthropist said the reserve side’s achievement should give their seniors plenty of food for thought.

Mpinganjira, who doubles as the club’s board chairperson, said this in an interview yesterday after the Nomads reserve side beat Kalonga Rovers FC 1-0 to win the K13 million Champions Football Trophy  in Mponela, Dowa on Sunday which was their second silverware of the 2023 season,  having won the Nyasa Capital Finance Cup for the Southern Region.

On the other hand, the senior team finished the season empty-handed despite enjoying K410 million sponsorship from Mpinganjira through his Ekhaya Farms Foods Limited and K175 million from Mukuru as well as the luxury of having an expatriate coach.

He said: “These youngsters are not even on salary, I give them game bonuses for each win. Our over-pampered senior players must learn from these boys.

“This is about mental discipline and sheer determination. These boys exemplified the attitude that senior players failed to demonstrate, executing according to their coach’s instructions.

“There was neither politicking nor taking instructions from other parties apart from their coach.”

Mpinganjira said the senior team players need learn from their juniors as regards mental discipline and determination.

He also showered praise on the reserve team coach Bob Mpinganjra, saying the idea of putting him in charge of the team fully paid off.

Meanwhile, the Wanderers president, who directed that the reserve team should share the Champions Trophy K3.5 million prize and the Nyasa Finance Capital Cup K1.6 million prize, has organised a luncheon for the team later this week.

Mpinganjira’s sentiments come a few days after one of Wanderers directors Limbani Magomero questioned the attitude and commitment of some senior team players and emphasized on the need for the team to promote some reserve players.

Wanderers senior team captain Stanley Sanudi and vice-captain Felix Zulu yesterday said they could not comment on the matter.

On Sunday, David Chikaonda’s 21st minute strike was enough to seal a double for the Nomads rerserve side.

In a post-match interview, coach Bob Mpinganjira commended his players and the overwhelming support from the club president for the triumph.

He said: “I am very happy and I thank the boys for their hardworking spirit. It was tough for them to face a team that has experienced players who are former Super League players.

“We also thank the Wanderers president and other stakeholders for encouraging and motivating us.”

Football Association of Malawi second vice-president Lameck Zetu Khonje, who was the guest of honour, thanked businessperson  Msaiwale King Kabvina for sponsoring  the competition.

On his part, Kabvina said he was happy with the way the tournament was managed. n

(Additional reporting by

Frankie Kalilombe