Mponda vows to end Bullets dominance
Silver Strikers new coach Peter Mponda says his mission at the club is to end his former team FCB Nyasa Bullets’ dominance and not to sabotage the Bankers.
During a press conference in Lilongwe on Sunday, the Bullets legend, who won many silverware at the club before being roped in as Zimbabwean tactician Kallisto Pasuwa’s assistant, allayed fears that his past affiliation with the club will affect his performance.
Said Mponda: “I am not here at Silver to sabotage the club, but to help it win trophies. I believe I have the capabilities and qualifications for the job.
“It is ancient thinking that my past affiliations with Bullets will affect my job.
“I am a professional coach and I earn a living through coaching. My success here will mean a new contract.
“I am happy that the board and the supporters have welcomed me and given me necessary support.”
Mponda has signed a one-year contract with the club and said he believes the current squad is good enough for him to deliver.
He said: “I believe we have a good squad and may need just three additions.
“This squad was very competitive last season and we’re so close to winning trophies.
“I believe my philosophy of play is similar to that of Silver and together we can win trophies.”
Mponda has replaced Pieter de Jongh, who was fired last month.
The Dutch tactician was at loggerheads with the club’s board, blaming them of not supporting him enough to buy new players.
Silver Strikers chief executive officer Patrick Chimimba promised to give Mponda the necessary support.
He said: “The thing is there are many dynamics at play when you want to buy players. Sometimes, no matter how much you offer, the club and the player might not accept. That was the situation with de Jongh. But we are here to support Mr.Mponda so that he can deliver.
“We have also engaged the national supporters committee to give all the support to Mr. Mponda. It doesn’t matter if he has past affiliations with Bullets. He has proved himself to be a successful coach.”
Meanwhile, Silver supporters committee has pledged to rally behind Mponda.
The supporters led by their top fan King Malaya said they have agreed to rally behind the new coach despite his past affiliations to Bullets both as a coach and player.
“We know the rivalry that is there between Bullets and Silver but football has evolved. It’s become professional. It doesn’t matter that he was a Nyasa Big Bullets players and assistant coach. He is a professional coach and has displayed capabilities. He has proved that and we will support him as a professional. He has a contract and there are requirements that he must meet,” he said.
Tia Maria Katemba, a Silver Strikers supporters committee member, also concurred with Malaya
“We have no reservations with Mponda. He has a good track record as coach and a successful professional player. I do think he is here to sabotage Silver Strikers success. We will support him so the club can achieve it’s targets of winning trophies,” she said.
To demonstrate their support for Mponda, the fans organised a welcome reception through a caravan of cars from the airport to the clubhouse in Area 47, Lilongwe.
