Former FCB Nyasa Bullets assistant coach Peter Mponda has started his new job as coach for South Africa Premiership side Black Leopards by roping in Blue Eagles and Flames goalkeeper Brighton Munthali.

The former Bullets captain,Blue Eagles vice-chairperson Ian Mwalungila and the player confirmed the development yesterday in separate interviews.

Leopards are back in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after buying the status of the Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit All Stars FC.

“It is true, Munthali will join Leopards following my recommendation,” said Mponda, who previously worked with the goal-minder when he coached the now-defunct TNM Super League side Surestream Academy in 2015.

According to Mwalungila, who could not disclose the agreed loan fee for Munthali, Blue Eagles have released their first-choice goal-minder on an unpaid leave for a year.

Munthali: I am
lost for words

On his part, Munthali said he was happy to play for a foreign league side and said he will do his best to prove his mettle as one of the country’s best goalkeepers.

“I am really lost for words to describe my happiness with this good news. All my life I have been looking for such an opportunity and I will make good use of it,” he said.

According to a source, Mponda is also optimistic to recruit a Malawian striker among Mighty Mukuru Wanderers’ Christopher Kumwembe, Civil Service United’s Binwell Katinji, Muhammad Sulumba, who plays for Bahrain outfit Al-Muharrag, and Khuda Muyaba, who is contracted to South African side Polokwane FC.

“Mponda has already made advances on the players and he will soon make a final pick,” said the source.

In an interview yesterday, Mponda could not rule out the possibility of roping in a Malawian striker.

Said the former Flames captain and under-20 national football team coach: “I will not talk much on such prospects because we are yet to assess a Namibian striker, who is currently in his national team camp. But chances are there that we might as well look for a Malawian striker.”

He said he would like to help compatriots to get such opportunities.

Leopards already have two other Malawian players Chembezi Denis and Rafiq Namwera. The South African league allows a maximum of five foreign players per club.

Mponda, who is also the former FCB Nyasa Bullets captain, played for Leopards between 2005 and 2010. He was once the club’s captain.

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