By Gabriel Nkunika
Forest Rangers have taken bold strides off the pitch, most notably by becoming one of the few Zambian clubs to build and own their own stadium — a true symbol of ambition and long-term vision.
This investment boosts the club’s identity and offers long-term financial opportunities through gate takings, sponsorships, and local events.
However, on the pitch, things have taken a different turn. Despite avoiding heavy defeats, the Ndola-based side has drawn too many matches — a recurring issue that has left them second from the bottom and just a few points above relegation.
2019–2020: So Close, Yet So Far
It wasn’t always like this. Forest Rangers came agonizingly close to winning their first-ever Super League title in the 2019–2020 season. Level on 50 points with Nkana FC heading into the final day, a goalless draw with Zanaco saw Forest lose the title on goal difference. That season, despite disruptions due to COVID-19, the team showed resilience, leadership, and top-level consistency.
Their second-place finish earned them a spot in the CAF Champions League the following season — a huge milestone that marked the club’s rise in Zambian football.
So what happened? How did a club on the rise find itself fighting to avoid relegation?
Departure of Coach Mwenya Chipepo
Forest made a big statement by hiring Mwenya Chipepo from Power Dynamos — a title-winning coach with high expectations. He initially brought structure and belief to the team. But his unexpected departure to Nkana FC cut that progress short. Losing a coach of his quality midway through his project left Forest without a clear direction — a disruption that they’ve yet to fully recover from.
The Return of Ian Bakala — But with Divided Focus
In a bid to stabilize the team, Forest brought back Ian Bakala, who had guided them to ABSA Cup success in his previous stint. Fans hoped his familiarity and past achievements would help turn things around.
However, Bakala’s impact was limited. He only managed a few games due to his dual commitments with the Zambia Under-17 Men’s National Team, where he serves as head coach. This divided attention prevented him from committing fully to Forest’s cause, and the team once again found itself lacking consistent leadership.
Recruitment Missteps
In the past, Forest Rangers made sharp, effective signings — bringing in top talents like Mpho Mathekgane from South Africa, goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya from Uganda, defender Cedric Djeugoué, and midfield anchor Benson Kolala. These players added depth and lifted the team’s overall performance.
But recent recruitment has failed to match that standard. Instead of strengthening the team, the latest transfer windows have brought underwhelming signings that haven’t addressed key areas like midfield creativity or goal scoring. The lack of fresh, dynamic talent has been a major setback.
An Aging Core
Another challenge is the aging nature of the squad. A significant number of Forest’s key players including Quadri Kola, Cedric Djeugoué, and Chris Mugalu are in their 30s. While their experience is valuable, their declining physical sharpness has been evident.
This has led to the team often fading in the latter stages of matches, resulting in numerous draws instead of wins. Without a proper mix of youth and experience, the squad has struggled to maintain intensity across 90 minutes a crucial factor in their poor league position.
Time to Reset
Forest Rangers have shown they have the infrastructure and ambition to be a powerhouse in Zambian football. But ambition off the pitch needs to be matched by smart, consistent decisions on it. Coaching instability, poor recruitment, and an aging squad have combined to stall what once looked like a rising force.
If Forest wants to avoid the drop and reclaim its place among the league’s elite, a bold reset is needed one that includes long-term coaching stability, smarter player acquisition, and a gradual rebuild with younger, hungry talent.
