Mumba's Message
After a season-long loan spell which saw him pick up many awards and accolades, Bali Mumba has credited his team-mates, the Green Army and manager Steven Schumacher for helping to make his stay a dream one.
Mumba arrived from Norwich City in the summer of 2022, and quickly became a huge fan favourite at Home Park, with a series of effervescent displays as a wing-back on both flanks. He played 47 times and scored six goals as Argyle were promoted from Sky Bet League One as champions.
Mumba was named in the EFL League One Team of the Season and was named as the division’s Young Player of the Year, while in Argyle’s own awards, Bali was not only named as the outstanding young player but was runner-up in the Player of the Season vote, narrowly missing out to Michael Cooper.
Asked to sum up his manager for the season, Steven Schumacher, Bali’s initial response was brief but emphatic.
“He’s unbelievable,” said Bali. “Legend. Just simple as that. Great guy, easy to get along with. I think that's one of the reasons why I've done so well, when you’ve got a gaffer that is so chilled, and laid back. When it's time to work, it's time to work, but when he's got so much confidence in you and puts his faith in you, the only way you are going to pay it back is by putting in performances.
“It's a great changing room. It's the best I’ve been in. I’m not just saying that. Everyone gets along with everyone. The senior boys get along with the younger lads. It’s just such a great bunch and the bond we have is unbreakable. That's why we've stuck together this season and got where we are.
“The fans – where do I start? The support that they showed - not just to me, but the team - travelling the journeys that we do every game and for them to come in numbers, you want to put in a performance for them.
“There have been games where it has been disappointing, but we've always wanted to put it right the next game and give them something to smile about and to encourage them to come to the next one. They've just been great. They are key to the success that we have had.”
Among Mumba’s six-goal haul were a tremendous long-range effort against Exeter City, and two excellent efforts against Ipswich Town, the first in a 2-1 home win, the other a last-minute equaliser in the away game. To someone who caught a bit of flak from the Ipswich fans because of his Norwich affiliation, the Portman Road goal is a memory that rates highly during his spell with the Greens, a time Bali clearly cherished.
“I think the sweetest one would have been at their place to make it 1-1 and to come home with a point,” said Bali. “If I could relive a moment, I think it would be that; that was a sweet moment for me.
“The first [memory] is my goal against Exeter. That was my first professional derby and to play a part and score in a derby is something that you dream of as a kid.
“[I also loved] getting promoted and proving everyone wrong; everyone that's written us off. That's just the best feeling, to know that you just proved everyone wrong who doubted the team.
“I have nothing bad to say at all about my loan spell. It’s been great. There's a lot of crazy memories that will live with me and I'll always speak about.
“If I had to rate it, it would be a 10. I wouldn’t change anything. The experience was perfect.
“Argyle’s got a special place in my heart. A special place, special club, special fans.
“I'll always be rooting for Argyle, no matter where I’m at. I feel like Argyle have got another supporter, which is me.”
