The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Mumba is ready to rumble
New Posh signing Bali Mumba can’t wait to get stuck into a Championship relegation battle.
The 20-year-old full-back made an instant impact at Posh following his loan move from Norwich City with a match-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers in the third round of the FA Cup at London Road last weekend.
Mumba, who Norwich signed for £300k from Sunderland in July, 2020, came on as a half-time substitute at leftback against the League Two side, but is equally at home on the right.
“I like to get forward and support the attacks,” Mumba stated. “But obviously I have do my job of defending as well and I can play in either fullback or wing-back position.
“When I found out about the offer (from Posh), it was something that really interested me. The manager here has been very successful. I know there are some good players here. My experience at Norwich so far has been really good, but this is an opportunity for me to go out and play first team football and try and help Posh achieve their targetthis season, which is remaining in the Championship.”
Mumba mixed it with the very best at the start of this season when sent on at halftime by Norwich in a Premier League game at Manchester City. City won 5-0.
Mumba started Carabao Cup ties against Bournemouth (6-0) and Liverpool (0-3) this season, but his only EFL start was in a Championship fixture at Preston (11) last season. He also made three substitute appearances as Norwich won promotion back to the top flight.
Mumba will carry confidence into Saturday’s Championship fixture at home to Coventry City, when he looks certain to start.
“I couldn’t have imagined a better debut,” Mumba said. “To score and for it to be the winning goal is amazing. To score the goal in the FA Cup puts a smile on my face. I need to work on my celebration though. I didn’t really know what to do!
“The manager just told me to go and do my thing and I took that on board. I had watched the game closely in the first-half and saw there was space out wide to exploit so that’s what I tried to do.
“I tried to be positive with the ball and it came good for the goal. It was good play and a 1-2 with Sammie (Szmodics) got me into the penalty area.
“I didn’t realise I had won the man of the match until someone told me in the dressing room. It’s the first time I’ve won a man of the match.
“I have a point to prove here, but I’m not there yet. There is lots of improvement required.”