It’s a showdown of master versus apprentice as FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Coach, Peter Mponda, faces his former assistant, Silver Strikers Coach, Peter Mgangira, for the first time.
The two tacticians go head-to-head on Saturday in the TNM Super League opener at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
A tale of two coaches
Last season, Mponda and Mgangira shared the same dugout at Silver, where Mponda led the Central Bankers to their first league title in 11 years. The 2024 Coach of the Season guided Silver to an impressive campaign losing only once, securing 19 wins and 10 draws, scoring a league-high 58 goals, and conceding the fewest (17), finishing with 67 points.
In contrast, Mponda’s new side, Bullets, finished third last season under his predecessor, Kalisto Pasuwa, collecting 55 points.
For Mgangira, this match marks his league debut as head coach, having previously served as assistant to Mponda, Pieter de Jongh, and Daniel Kabwe, as well as holding various technical roles at Silver. Zicco Mkanda and Victor Mphande, who were part of Silver’s technical panel last season, have followed Mponda to Bullets.
A rivalry renewed
Silver held the upper hand in last season’s encounters with Bullets, winning the first-round clash 1–0 at Kamuzu Stadium with a last-minute goal from Chinsinsi Maonga, before playing out a goalless draw in the return fixture at Silver Stadium.
The Bankers have strengthened their squad with new signings, including Festus Duwe, Sam Adeyemi, Felix Demakude, Precious Sambani, and Emmanuel Allan. Meanwhile, Bullets have bolstered their ranks with Henry Chiwaya, Dominic Musonda, Chikumbutso Henderson, Blessings Joseph, and Andrew Jovinala.
Despite keeping his game plan under wraps, Mponda sounded calm and confident ahead of the season.
“There is a lot of work that needs to be done for us to be solid at the back, because offensively we are okay, but defensively we are not good. We have no excuse; the league is starting, and we just need to play,” Mponda said.
Silver enter the match with momentum, having clinched their first-ever NBS Bank Charity Shield by defeating Bullets’ arch-rivals, Mighty Wanderers, 5–3 on penalties after a 2–2 draw in regulation time.
Mgangira is optimistic about his side’s readiness.
“I am satisfied with my team’s pre-season performances, as we have been fine-tuning for the league.”
With history, pride, and early-season momentum at stake, this clash promises an exciting start to the TNM Super League season.
By Praise Majawa
