Malawi’s Airtel Top 8: Mponda faces former employers Silver

Coach Peter Mponda will try to lead FCB Big Bullets to the Airtel Top 8 cup retention when they meet his former employers, Silver Strikers, in Sunday’s final in Lilongwe.

The game should bring back memories of last year’s final to the former Malawian international who was in charge of Silver when they lost 1-0 to Bullets at the same Bingu National Stadium.

Mponda will rely on stars such as attacker Charles Petro, who ironically scored the lone goal for Bullets against Silver in last year’s final, to break the coach’s heart.

Another player for Bullets to bank on is Nigerian striker Babatunde Adepoju who is the team’s leading scorer.

Reflecting on the final, the Bullets’ tactician outlined his game plan, stressing the need to settle the contest within 90 minutes. His team lost to Silver on post-match penalties in an invitational cup match organized by FCB bank two weeks ago.

“It is our aim to finish the game within 90 minutes. We need to strike the right balance between attacking and defending. We can’t sit back and just absorb pressure, nor can we throw everyone forward recklessly,” he said.

Silver have an advantage of playing in close vicinity to their base in Lilongwe even though they must find another midfield leader to replace Chimwemwe Idana who joined Zambia’s ZANACO FC two weeks ago.

Nonetheless, Silver coach Peter Mgangira is confident that his team can finally win the cup after having failed twice to the same opponents in the cup’s final.

“The team is ready for the final though we have a few injuries. Regardless of the results against Bullets in the past games we are confident of getting a result come Sunday. We feel this is our opportunity to change the narrative and the players know the importance of this match. There are medals and prize money at stake,” Mgangira told the club’s media.

Silver Strikers qualified for the final after beating crosstown rivals, Civil Service.