Newly appointed Silver Strikers coach Peter Mponda has said he is on a serious mission at the Area 47-based side, having signed a one year contract despite being a legend for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
Mponda was unveiled as Silver coach at the club’s office Sunday, replacing Dutch coach Pieter de Jongh, who left the club on mutual agreement.
At his first press conference as Silver coach, Mponda said he wants to prove critics wrong.
“Being a legend does not bring food to my table but I have to work well. Indeed, I have played for Bullets and I am a legend but I am here to be a legend as Silver coach,” Mponda said.
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Mponda has a huge task to turn the club’s fortunes around next season after the Central Bankers failed to win a trophy in two consecutive seasons.
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However, the former Flames captain believes Silver have given him a good opportunity to showcase his coaching credentials.
“Football is a game of pressure and the only way to handle it is by working hard. Silver have good playing personnel and that was the reason it was easy for me to accept the offer from Silver. Silver is a big brand and this is a chance for me to express myself as coach,” he said.
Mponda has been given freedom to choose his backroom staff.
The former Black Leopards coach has no time to waste as he is expected to be in charge of training at the club this week.
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Silver Chief Executive Officer Patrick Chimimba said the club has confidence in Mponda.
“He is one of the best coaches in Malawi and we believe he will make a difference,” he said.
However, Chimimba was elusive on targets which Mponda has been given.
In preparation for the upcoming season, Silver have already signed defender Macdonald Lameck and striker Christopher Gototo from Blue Eagles.
But according to Chimimba, the club is expected to sign more players before the start of the season.
After his unveiling Sunday, Silver supporters chairperson Kingsley Malaya welcomed the appointment of Mponda.
“Mponda is a professional coach and we will support him,” he said.
Silver finished second in the TNM Super League last season with 57 points, three points behind Bullets.
They also finished as runners-up in the Castel Challenge Cup following a 4-2 loss on post-match penalties.
