By Angela Bambala Bwalya
NAPSA Stars FC head coach Tenant Chilumba is bracing for a difficult encounter as his side faces out-of-form ZESCO United this afternoon at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola (15:00hrs).
The Pensioners head into the fixture on the back of a narrow 1–0 defeat to Nchanga Rangers and will be desperate to halt a worrying slide in form. NAPSA currently sit 15th on the MTN Super League table with 24 points from 24 matches — firmly in the relegation zone — having managed just one win in their last nine outings.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Chilumba acknowledged the magnitude of the task, especially as he returns to face his former employers only months after parting ways with the Ndola giants.
The veteran tactician left ZESCO United in September last year following a brief spell that included overseeing the team during the 2025/26 Samuel “Zoom” Ndhlovu Charity Shield. He later joined NAPSA Stars as Technical Director in December before being promoted to head coach, replacing Sipho Mumbi.
“A difficult weekend again, but we’ve prepared well. Although we lost on Thursday, the team is okay now,” Chilumba said.
NAPSA will be without midfielder Dickson Chapa, who was sent off in the defeat to Nchanga Rangers, but Chilumba remains confident his squad has adequate cover.
“We are missing Chapa but of course there is a replacement already. So we are very focused,” he added.
With survival now the club’s primary objective, Chilumba emphasized the urgency of climbing out of the drop zone.
“We are just hoping we can move from the relegation zone — that’s what we are working on.”
Chilumba also admitted the pressure surrounding the fixture but expressed confidence in the squad’s mentality.
“Pressure is there, but we’ve been talking to the boys and recycling them. I’m sure they are focused already. They know what is at stake.”
Meanwhile, ZESCO United — currently 12th with 28 points from 22 matches — are also struggling for consistency. The former champions come into the match after a 3–2 defeat to Power Dynamos and have lost their last five games in the league.
NAPSA claimed a 1–0 victory in the reverse fixture, but history still favours ZESCO. The Ndola side have won 17 of the last 26 meetings between the two teams, losing only four, with five ending in draws. However, their most recent victory in this fixture dates back to 2024, having failed to win either of the last two encounters.
