Mponda shrugs off friendly win ahead of Karonga clash
Masters FC coach Peter Mponda has dismissed his side’s recent victory over Karonga United, insisting it will count for nothing when the two teams meet in Sunday’s FDH Premiership encounter at Karonga Stadium.
Mponda’s charges defeated Karonga 1-0 during last month’s Northern Region Supa 4 Bonanza at Chitipa Stadium, but the coach maintains the result has no relevance as attention shifts to league competition.
He stressed that pre-season and exhibition matches are largely experimental, with teams focusing on fitness and combinations rather than competitive outcomes.
“Those games don’t really count because teams are trying to find combinations and work on fitness. Yes, we won against them last month, but it was just a friendly match. This is an important game with three points at stake,” said Mponda.
The former Flames international acknowledged the challenge awaiting his side, describing Karonga United as a well-drilled team that is particularly formidable at home.
Mponda added that Master FC must raise their performance level despite coming off a win over Chitipa United, a match he admitted was not entirely convincing.
With nearly a full squad available aside from the injured Chisomo Mpachika, the coach believes securing maximum points away from home would provide a significant boost to the team’s confidence and momentum.
