Silver Strikers Head Coach, Peter Mponda said he is satisfied with the squad that he has at his disposal after being in the dugout for the Bankers for the first time since replacing Pieter De Jongh.
Free-flowing Bankers claimed a 3-2 win over the Salima based Soldiers, Mafco Football Club in their first Pre-season friendly match.
Super substitute, Gift Chunga scored twice while Duncan Nyoni scored once for Silver Strikers. Prince Kachere and Marshall Maluwa were on target for the visitors at Silver stadium.
Pressed by the media on whether there will be a need to add up new players to his squad, the former Flames skipper, said he is satisfied with the quality of players that are in his squad.
“There are a lot of good players out there and we cannot have every one of them in our team,” said Mponda. “I’m happy with the team, the squad I have.
“This is a good squad, I’m happy with it. It’s just a matter of telling them what to do when they are in the field of play.”
New players impress Mponda
As a friendly, it was the best time for Mjojo Mponda to test his spears including the new players that have been recruited during the ongoing transfer window.
Newly signed goal-keeper, George Chikooka occupied the sticks, Macdonald Lameck started at the back while Christopher Gototo started upfront.
Despite failing to find the back of the net, Gototo proved why he was one of the most-chased player before signing for the Bankers.
His ability to run into spaces, speed and able to make 360 degree turns helped Mponda’s men to open up their visitors’ defence and he played a big role in Duncan Nyoni’s opener.
All of the new players who started the game were hooked off at halftime when Mponda made an overhaul change at the recess.
He made six changes by introducing Charles Thom in goals, Gift Chunga, Patrick Macheso, Binwell Katinji, Chinsisi Maonga and Eustice Mwale for George Chikooka, Nickson Mwase, Adiel Kaduya, Duncan Nyoni, Zebron Kalima and Gototo.
Commenting on the performance of the newly signed players, Mponda said they played well.
“We are very happy with the new guys. They played very well and we are satisfied with that. In terms of fitness level, their tactical approach to the game, I think all the players did what we told them before the game and even at halftime,” added Mponda.
Bankers survive Mafco FC’s late fight back
After taking a slender lead at the break, Silver Strikers extended their lead just inside the first minute in the second half as Gift Chunga beat Christopher Mikuwa with a fine strike.
However, Mafco FC showed an interest in the game when Prince Kachere pulled one back to give the visitors hopes of staging a comeback.
However, the Bankers cushioned their 2-goal lead when Gift Chunga bagged his second of the day. Marshall Maluwa gavw Mafco a hope of a fight back with a late goal but Silver Strikers kept their nerves to claim a 3-2 win on their return to Silver stadium after about 112 days as the group was undergoing renovations last year.
Mponda said the players gave him what he wanted despite conceding two goals in the game.
He said, “Yes [the players have given me what I wanted to see], 70% because the thing is that we only wanted to see in terms of our tactic. The first two weeks, we were working on their fitness level and the guys are picking up very well.
“They [the players] have shown what we want them to do, we dominated the game in terms of possession wise, we were on top of Mafco.Yes, we conceded two goals but that’s part of the game.
“This is the pre-season, we need to have a number of friendly matches, we cannot be satisfied with one friendly game.”
Jimmy Mzunga, Assistant Coach for Mafco FC said they were happy with the way the players responded to the setback.
“We have seen a lot of good things in this game. Despite this defeat, we have seen very positive things that we can build up from there. The players are ready for super league,” he said.
