What they say about the title race: We quote three coaches

What They Say is a regular segment of our sports coverage that appears when the league reaches its apex. The TNM Super League has currently reached its climax, with title chasers clearly separated from those fighting for top eight and those battling for survival.

As of now, two teams are breathing down each other’s necks: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers FC. However, Silver Strikers are the defending champions and can’t be ruled out of the race completely.

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After playing 19 games, Peter Mponda’s team have accumulated 46 points, while Bob Mpinganjira’s Wanderers have collected 42 points from 18 games, with Silver Strikers sitting third on 36 points.

After their last round of games, Wa Mpira quotes all three coaches on the title race.

Peter Mponda: Wanderers, Silver Are Firm Favorites

Peter Mponda left Silver Strikers earlier this year to return to Big Bullets, filling Kalisto Pasuwa’s shoes after Pasuwa was employed by the Football Association of Malawi as head coach of the national team. Pasuwa had spent five-and-a-half seasons at Bullets, winning the league five times.

Mponda has had a significant role in rebuilding the team while simultaneously fighting for the league championship. He has improved the team’s results from last season’s performance and is currently leading the race for the championship.

Big Bullets are the highest-scoring team in the league with 43 goals in 19 games, conceding just 10 goals.

Speaking to the press after beating Silver Strikers on Sunday, Mponda maintained his stance that rivals remain the hot favorites for the league championship.

Mponda, who stated earlier this year that his rivals have superior chances, pointed to the stability of their squads and technical panels compared to his rebuilding project at Bullets.

“Silver Strikers and Mighty Wanderers are still the hot favorites for the title, and we are just leading the race for now,” he explained. “They have invested a lot in their squads while we lost some key players and didn’t do much in the market. They are still the favorites for the title.”

Big Bullets have 11 games remaining before wrapping up their season. Out of those 11, they will play six away games and five home games.

Peter Mponda’s side will travel to Karonga to face Karonga United, Mzuzu to face Moyale Barracks, Dowa to face Kamuzu Barracks, Lilongwe to face Blue Eagles, Mchinji to face Creck Sporting Club, and then to Kamuzu Stadium to face Mighty Tigers.

They play at home against Mighty Wanderers, Mafco FC, Civil Service United, Ekhaya FC, and Mzuzu City Hammers.

Bob Mpinganjira: The League Is Wide Open

Mighty Wanderers Head Coach Bob Mpinganjira believes that the race for the championship is still wide open for them.

The Nomads, who at one point were leading the table and finished the first round on top, are now four points behind leaders Bullets, though they have played one game less.

Wanderers have scored 25 goals in 18 games and boast the best defensive record, conceding just seven goals.

They returned to league action after being eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup by Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana. They returned with a bang, claiming a vital 1-0 win over Dedza Dynamos away.

Speaking in an interview with Wa Mpira, Bob Mpinganjira said the win against Dedza was a motivation and he sees the race as wide open.

“We showed the character that we need, although we didn’t score in the first half. In the second half, we got the goal. I’m very happy that we have won and have three points in the bag.

“Indeed, it’s a motivation, and winning away is something special. I must commend the guys for working very hard. This win is very important for us in the title race. It’s a good result, and the race is still wide open,” said Mpinganjira.

Mighty Wanderers have 12 games remaining before the end of the season—seven games at home and five matches away.

The Nomads will host Kamuzu Barracks, Songwe, Ekhaya, Moyale, Mighty Tigers, Karonga, and Civil at Kamuzu Stadium. They will travel to Lilongwe to face Blue Eagles and Silver Strikers, to Chitipa to play against Chitipa United, to Mzuzu to play against Mzuzu City Hammers, and to Kamuzu Stadium to face Bullets.

Peter Mgangira: Still a Long Way to Go, We Need to Win Our Games

Silver Strikers Head Coach Peter Mgangira has refused to throw in the towel on the title race despite sitting 10 points off the top.

The Bankers have lost two matches to Bullets this season, and Bullets are the only side that has beaten them. Silver have scored 28 goals, conceding 13 goals.

Speaking after their recent 2-1 defeat to Bullets, Mgangira said the title race is still open as there is a long way to go before the end of the season.

“We are taking it game by game. There is still a long way to go before the end of the season. We have to take our games seriously, get points, and make sure that we don’t drop points,” he said.

Silver Strikers have 12 games remaining before wrapping up their season. Out of those 12, they will play seven games at home and five away.

They will travel to Dedza to face Dedza Dynamos, make a short trip to Area 9 to face Civil Service, head to Blantyre to face Ekhaya FC, Karonga to face Karonga United, and Dowa to face Mafco. They will host Hammers, Creck, Songwe, Moyale, KB, Blue Eagles, and Wanderers.