Mponda says not happy with ‘very scrappy performance’ against Hammers but results to build on from

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets secured a vital 2-0 victory over Mzuzu City Hammers up north, a result that, while not a display of attractive football, provided immense relief for coach Peter Mponda amidst mounting pressure. Coming off two consecutive losses to Civil Service United and Blue Eagles, and trailing leaders Mighty Wanderers by six points, the emphasis for Bullets was clearly on securing the much-needed three points rather than a polished performance.

“Very scrappy game, we didn’t play the way we do. We forced the game, today, I think the result was more important than the performance,” Mponda admitted to reporters after the match. “I’m very happy that we managed to get a very good result.”

The win sees the People’s Team move to within three points of their cross-town rivals, Mighty Wanderers. Despite currently trailing the league leaders, Bullets have actually amassed more points at this stage of the season than they did last year. With 13 games played, they are seven points better off than their total for the entire first half of 2024 (23 points from 15 games).

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The current season’s competition is proving to be much tougher than the last. At this point in the previous season, Silver Strikers were already declared first-round winners with 33 points from 13 games, a comfortable nine points ahead of Wanderers. This highlights the increased intensity of the 2025 campaign.

Heading into the fixture, Peter Mponda had urged his players to recover the points they had dropped, a sentiment that resonated from the game’s opening whistle. Babatunde Adepoju, who was benched against Eagles, returned to lead the attack, alongside Lameck Gamphani. Both, however, were substituted at halftime.

The match itself was far from a footballing spectacle for Bullets. The uneven Rumphi Stadium surface likely contributed to the disjointed play. “It was a performance that Bullets will not want to have video replays,” one observer noted. Mponda acknowledged the struggle, saying, “Everything was okay but we made changes because we were trying to find [ways] on how we can unlock the defense because Hammers were very solid.”

Mzuzu City Hammers, despite the loss, put in a commendable performance and arguably deserved to take the lead in the first half. Innocent Nyasulu, entrusted by Mponda over Richard Chimbamba, proved to be Bullets’ savior, earning widespread praise from supporters for his heroic saves.

Hammers, particularly through Erik Kaonga, a former Bullets player, exploited spaces in Bullets’ three-man central defense with wing-backs Chikumbutso Salima and Lameck Gamphani. Kaonga consistently troubled the Bullets backline, creating several dangerous opportunities, including a thumping header that Nyasulu miraculously saved. Bullets struggled to maintain midfield pace and put the ball on the ground, a contrast to Hammers’ fluid play.

The second half saw significant changes for Bullets, both in personnel and formation. Babatunde Adepoju, Wongani Lungu, and Lameck Gamphani were replaced by Hassan Kajoke, Maxwell Phodo, and Henry Chiwaya. The formation shifted from a 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2, a move that initially paid dividends before Hammers regained some control.

The game remained eventful, with a penalty appeal for Hammers being initially denied before being awarded minutes later. Once again, Innocent Nyasulu stepped up, producing a momentum-shifting save from Samson Olatibosun’s spot-kick. Blessings Mpokera for Bullets then rattled the crossbar, signaling Bullets’ growing intent.

The breakthrough finally came in the 78th minute when Chikumbutso Salima capitalized on Ephraim Kondowe’s ball after Hammers’ defense failed to clear Jovinala’s free-kick. Hassan Kajoke then sealed the victory with a powerful header, a goal of his characteristic quality.

Building on the Result, Not the Performance

Mponda reiterated the importance of the result over the performance. “We need to build from this result not necessarily the performance. We should be encouraged the way we have played and the way we have managed to get the goals because Hammers defensively were very strong.”

He added, “It is a very important win because last time we dropped points at home. We needed to recover the points, like I said, credit should go to the boys, the way they fought.”

Acknowledging the inherent pressure that comes with managing the country’s biggest team, Mponda expressed satisfaction with his players’ response to their recent defeats. “I’m happy with the way how the players have responded from the defeat [against Blue Eagles], very very encouraging,” he concluded.

Bullets will now prepare for their next assignments, facing Mafco FC at Champion Stadium before wrapping up the first round with a home match against Karonga United in Blantyre.