Mpinganjira Dismisses Tension as Title Race Intensifies

Bob Mpinganjira has emphatically dismissed suggestions that psychological strain will infiltrate his squad’s mindset following Saturday’s 2-2 stalemate against reigning champions Silver Strikers—a result that enabled FCB Nyasa Big Bullets to seize pole position in what has evolved into a captivating championship duel.

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Through 22 fixtures, the Lali Lubani Road outfit has accumulated 52 points courtesy of 15 victories, maintaining their status as the sole undefeated side in the TNM Super League. Their aspirations of reclaiming continental supremacy—absent since their 2017 triumph—remain firmly intact despite surrendering top spot.

The deadlock at the Silver Stadium thwarted Wanderers’ ambitions of establishing a four-point cushion over their Blantyre rivals. Instead, Bullets capitalized ruthlessly, edging Civil Service United 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday to leapfrog their adversaries.

The People’s Team now commands 53 points from 23 encounters—a solitary point advantage that sets the stage for a pulsating denouement to the campaign.

Addressing journalists through Wa Mpira’s platform following his charges’ tenth consecutive failure to vanquish the Central Bankers, Mpinganjira delivered a measured assessment of proceedings while projecting unwavering confidence.

“Both teams [Silver and Wanderers] played very well, I should commend my boys, they played well. We led twice, and at the end; it ended 2-2. We played a very good team, Silver Strikers, one of the good teams in Malawi. We were playing away, so getting one point, it’s not bad at all. We just have to go back and prepare for the next match,” the tactician reflected.

The experienced mentor was particularly emphatic in addressing potential psychological vulnerabilities that could undermine his squad’s championship credentials during the campaign’s climactic phase.

“It happens in football, anything can happen. We don’t want that element [of pressure] to come into our team, into our heads. There is no pressure at all, we have got 8 games to go and see where we are going to finish the season,” Mpinganjira declared.

Wanderers’ 15 triumphs position them second in the victories column, trailing Bullets by two conquests—their metropolitan counterparts having prevailed 17 times. The Nomads have shared the spoils on seven occasions while maintaining their unblemished defensive record regarding defeats.

The Lali Lubani faithful will reconvene on Wednesday when their warriors confront relegation-threatened Mighty Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium before entertaining Moyale Barracks.

Subsequently, Wanderers face away assignments against Mzuzu City Hammers and Chitipa United before concluding their remaining obligations with home fixtures against Karonga United and Civil Service United at Kamuzu Stadium.

The campaign’s ultimate chapter will unfold at Balaka Stadium on December 20, where Wanderers’ destiny—whether championship glory or heartbreak—shall be definitively determined.

With eight matches remaining versus Bullets’ seven, the mathematical advantage resides marginally with the chasing pack. However, in a campaign where both metropolitan giants have demonstrated relentless consistency, the margin for error has evaporated entirely.

The stage is illuminated for a spectacular finale to Malawian football’s premier competition.