After a four-month break, the TNM Super League rolls into life with the 39th edition as champions Silver Strikers host FCB Nyasa Bullets at the giant Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe this afternoon.
The centrepiece of it all will be the People’s Team gaffer Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda who will be up against his former team which he led to the league title, ending an 11-year drought in a romantic stint that lasted only 10 months.
It was a beauty of a script that saw Bullets’ five-year top-flight dominance come to a painful end with the architect being their own legend.
But Mponda is back to his roots now on a mission to win the title and hand it back to where he seized it from and the journey starts this afternoon.
He will face his former right assistant and namesake Peter ‘Shoes’ Mgangira, who took over the mantle after his unceremonious departure from Area 47 in December last year.
It’s Peter up against Peter, the champions versus the immediate-past champions.
In an interview yesterday, Mponda said he expects an emotional return to the capital.
He said: “It’s a place I called home last year and I have fond memories of my spell with the Bankers. We on the title after 11 years, but all that is water under the bridge.
“The mission now is to repeat the feat with Bullets, it’s part of the game.”
On whether knowing the set-up at Silver, especially the players, gives him an edge, Mponda was a model of modesty and tipped the odds in Silver’s favour.
“Of course, I know them inside and out and I know what to expect from them. But that is not a guarantee that it will work in our favour.
“I left a strong team which can compete against any team anywhere and they have a good coach in Peter. Almost all the players we had last season are still there and they have beefed it up with five additions.
“In contrast, we have lost not less than 10 players and the team is yet to fully adapt to my style, so Silver have a big advantage. It’s going to be tough. Nevertheless, we are ready for them and the guys are raring to go.”
On the other hand, Mgangira said contests between the two teams are always tight “and this one will not be an exception”.
He said: “Being the reigning champions, it will be good to start positively because that will boost our confidence in our title defence campaign
“Last weekend’s [NBS Bank] Charity Shield match gave us a chance to see which areas we need to work on, especially coordination at the back.”
The former Silver, Jomo Cosmos and Civil Service United and Flames midfield maestro also said it will be pleasant facing his former boss.
“He did a great job here last season and he knows the team well. He is a brother and friend, but Saturday is about serious business and it will be down to the strategy game approach. Otherwise, we are ready for them,” said Mgangira.
Last season, the Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored outfit ended Bullets’ unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory via substitute Chinsisi Maonga’s last-gasp goal.
In the second round, the two teams played out a goalless draw. They also met in the Airtel Top 8 final and Bullets won 1-0.
Bullets have won the title a record 17 times while Silver are second with nine.
In other matches, debutants Ekhaya FC host Mighty Tigers in a Blantyre derby at Kamuzu Stadium while Malawi Defence Force side Mafco take on Chitipa United at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa, Nkhotakpota.
