Malawi: Mponda to Bullets fans: ‘Don’t attack players, face me’

Smarting from a 3-0 defeat to Mighty Wanderers, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets coach Peter Mponda has leapt to the defence of his players amid growing attacks from fans.

Mponda told the media on Thursday that he was unhappy that some of his team’s fans are attacking his players in the aftermath of the Blantyre derby setback at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre last Sunday.

The defeat in the TNM Super League saw the People’s Team eventually surrendering top spot in the log table, swapping with Wanderers. Mponda’s men had welcomed the Nomads with a one-point lead having played a game more than the rivals.

Bob Mpinganjira’s team eventually made use of their one game in hand by beating Songwe Border United 2-0 on Wednesday to go two points clear at the summit of the 16-member log table. The giants of Malawi football have nine games each to the Super League finish line.

Mponda insisted that his team is still in the league title contention, describing that mood in his camp as positive and that the players were determined to bounce back from the setback.

Coach Peter Mponda takes on Bullets supporters

The coach, therefore, challenged the supporters to vent their anger on him and not the players.

“From what I am seeing in training, I am very happy with their response. But my only concern is the behaviour of our supporters. I don’t think it is proper to insult the players because it is me who selects them. If there is anything, they should come to me and talk rather than criticising the players,” he said.

The former Flames captain, who won his first ever Super League title with Silver Strikers last season, added that Bullets cannot do without the very same players being subjected to ridicule.

“We still need them. We lost to Wanderers but we still need the same players to play for us this week,” Mponda added.

Bullets face Wanderers on Sunday in the FDH Cup semi-final, a third meeting between the two titans this season alone with the former winning two so far.