Former Flames and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets coach and legendary striker Kinnah Phiri has condemned the decision to dismiss Peter Mponda from his position as head coach of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, describing the move as “unjustified” and poorly timed.
The club announced Mponda’s departure on Sunday, ending his tenure after just 12 months since he replaced Kalisto Pasuwa at the helm. Gilbert Chirwa, who served as assistant coach under Mponda, has been appointed as interim coach for the remainder of the season.
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According to Mponda, his dismissal came after the club failed to secure the league title, which was won by rivals Mighty Wanderers. The coach revealed he had been tasked with delivering the league championship and two cup competitions in his debut season—a demanding set of expectations for any first-year manager.
Despite falling short of the league title, Mponda’s record shows notable achievements. He guided Bullets to Airtel Top 8 Cup glory with a victory over Silver Strikers at Bingu National Stadium. Under his leadership, the team accumulated 63 points from 29 games—eight points more than the previous season when they finished third for the first time since 2013, their worst league finish in a decade.
The team still has a mathematical chance of finishing second if they defeat Mzuzu City Hammers at home on Saturday. However, they were eliminated in the semifinals of the FDH Bank Cup by city rivals Mighty Wanderers.
Overall, Mponda’s record stands at 25 wins from 37 matches—a 67% winning rate—alongside seven defeats and five draws.
“A Knee-Jerk Reaction”
Kinnah Phiri, who holds the record for most goals scored for the Malawi National Team with 71 goals, believes the club acted hastily and without proper consultation.
“It was a knee-jerk reaction. I do not believe there was adequate consultation before the decision was taken,” Phiri told Nation Publications Limited.
The former striker argued that the club should have exercised patience and waited for the season to conclude before making such a significant decision.
“If there were areas of concern, the club should have waited until the end of the season. Coaches are expected to submit technical reports, and that would have provided a proper platform for evaluation,” Phiri explained.
He acknowledged that every coach has areas for improvement but defended Mponda’s abilities and potential.
“Like any coach, Peter may have had shortcomings, but he remains one of the most promising local coaches we have. Considering the limited depth within the squad, I feel dismissing him at this stage was unjustified.”
What’s Next for Bullets?
With only one league match remaining and the coaching position in flux, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets face an uncertain future. The club’s leadership will need to decide whether to make Chirwa’s appointment permanent or begin the search for a new head coach ahead of next season.
For Peter Mponda, despite the disappointment of his dismissal, his statistics and cup success may attract interest from other clubs in the Malawian football landscape.
The debate over whether his departure was premature will likely continue among fans and pundits, particularly if the club struggles to find immediate success under new leadership.
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