FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Coach Peter Mponda has underrated rookies Ekhaya’s TNM Super League title credentials.
His comments come as the two sides face off in a TNM Super League top-of-the-table clash at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre this afternoon.
We cannot say Ekhaya are title contenders but they are enjoying football. They are playing with no pressure. I believe they will finish on a good position. If you are saying they are title contenders, I do not agree with that,” he said.
Currently, the two sides are separated by four points, with Bullets on top of the 16-member log table with 24 points from nine matches.
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On the other hand, Ekhaya are third with 20 points from 10 matches, three points behind second-placed Mighty Wanderers.
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Once again, Mponda remained calm in the title race, saying it was too early to be sweating over who will emerge champion.
“It is too early to start talking of title contenders. Let us play 15 matches, then we should be talking of who is leading, who is feeling the pressure and who can handle the pressure,” Mponda said.
But Mponda admitted that he expected a tough match against Ekhaya this afternoon.
“Ekhaya are doing very well, playing very well and are coached by a very good coach. He has got young players full of energy. Defensively, they are very good; upfront they are scoring but not dangerous,” he said.
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Going into the match, Ekhaya shared the spoils with Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos following a goal-less stalemate at Dedza Stadium in Dedza District on Saturday.
On the other hand, Bullets thrashed Moyale Barracks 3-0 at Kamuzu Stadium last week.
Ekhaya Coach Enos Chatama knows Bullets inside out, having spent years at the reserve side, where he nurtured a lot of players.
Chatama admitted that his charges were not yet ready to fight for the title.
“We are going into the match as underdogs. As two teams, we have two different ambitions. Bullets are fighting to win the league title but our ambition is to stay in the league.
“We are a new team, which was formed three years ago. Currently, we are not in a position to challenge the big three teams. But with time, we will build a squad that is capable of challenging for the title,” Chatama said.
Before the start of the season, Chatama said his target was for survival in the first season before aiming for a top eight finish next season.
He said Ekhaya would challenge for the title in the title race in 2027.
At Karonga Stadium, rookies Songwe Border United will host Wanderers.
Songwe are yet to get their first league win and anchor the log table with one point from 10 matches.
Creck Sporting Club will host defending champions Silver Strikers at Aubrey Dimba Stadium in Mchinji District.
In another match, Kamuzu Barracks will be in action against Civil Service United at Champion Stadium.
