FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Head Coach Peter Mponda has backed his backroom staff, singling out first assistant coach Gilbert Chirwa as a perfect fit for his plans to rebuild the People’s Team.
Bullets unveiled Mponda’s subordinates on Sunday evening and Chirwa emerged as the surprise inclusion in the technical panel, which also has Zicco Mkanda and goalkeeper trainer Victor Mphande.
Coincidentally, Mkanda and Mphande were part of Mponda’s backroom staff at Silver Strikers.
Bullets legend Fischer Kondowe has been named second assistant coach whereas James Chilapondwa has been maintained as team manager.
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Another Bullets former player Noel Kaole has been drafted in as fitness trainer.
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The notable missing figure from the panel is Heston Munthali, who was doubling as strikers’ trainer and second assistant coach.
In an interview Monday, Mponda revealed that he had several options including Elvis Kafoteka, Robert Ng’ambi and Jimmy Zakazaka.
He said he settled for Chirwa because of his qualifications and experience.
“He will be key if the team qualifies for the Caf Champions League next year,” he said.
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The Black Leopards former player and coach explained that Kondowe and Mkanda fitted well in his coaching philosophy.
“I have worked with Kondowe as a player at Bullets and Zicco as a player and coach at both Bullets and Silver.
“Mkanda understands the game better than most coaches in modern football. He reads opponents much better, with a high level of understanding, and critically analyses his team,” Mponda said.
Meanwhile, local football analyst Roy Abramo M’dechi has backed Mponda’s decision to incorporate Chirwa into the panel saying he would bring not only experience but discipline to the team.
“Chirwa is another top disciplinarian, just like Mponda, and has not played with the current crop of Bullets players. It is for this reason that he will earn much respect from the players,” M’dechi said.
The full Bullets technical panel is as follows:
Head coach Peter Mponda
First assistant coach Gilbert Chirwa
Second assistant coach Fisher Kondowe
Team manager James Chilapondwa
Goalkeeper coach Victor Mphande
Fitness trainer Noel Kaole
Physiotherapist Chimwemwe Nkhoma
Team doctor Felix Mwalule
Performance analyst Zicco Mkanda
Welfare officer Chisomo Chikwembani
Equipment manager Malumbo Chikoko
Security officer Ernest Vitto
