FCB Nyasa Bullets Coach Peter Mponda unveiled his technical panel with the appointment of his former coach Gilbert Chirwa as first assistant coach.
The veteran coach mentored Mponda at the People’s Team as well as in the Malawi National Team.
The former Bullets and Flames captain also named Fischer Kondowe as second assistant coach, Victor Mphande goalkeeping coach, Zicco Mkanda performance analyst and strikers trainer, Noel Kaole fitness trainer.
He has maintained the team’s former midfielder James Chilapondwa as team manager but there is no room for former striker Heston Munthali who was promoted to assistant coach from strikers trainer during the tenure of his predecessor Zimbabwean Kallisto Pasuwa.
However, the appointment of Gilbert Chirwa to deputise Mponda has drawn mixed reactions among the football fraternity.
While others have commended the move, some said Gilbert is more experienced than his former player.
But in an interview yesterday, Chirwa downplayed the move, saying he is back to his roots and he does not see any problem with that.
He said: “It is very good indeed to come to the club where I played for many years. I believe it is a good development.
“To me I don’t think there is a problem (to be assistant coach to Mponda) because most clubs in the Super League of Malawi, don’t have sound sponsorship.”
Mkanda, who starred for defunct Escom United, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, Mozambican clubs before finishing his illustrious career at Bullets, applauded his appointment.
“Truelly honoured to be part of this amazing technical panel,” he said.
Mponda made a dramatic U-turn to rejoin Bullets after signing a three-year contract at Silver Strikers following his success by winning the TNM Super League title for team in 11 years.
