By Angela Bambala Bwalya
Green Eagles begin their transitional season this afternoon with a trip to Shinde Stadium, where Mufulira Wanderers await in what promises to be an early test for Perry Mutapa’s side.
Kick-off is set for 15:00 hours, with both teams looking to make a positive start as the new campaign gets underway.
Mutapa believes Green Eagles have had sufficient time to prepare, with the squad following a carefully planned six-week programme ahead of the season.
“In some way it gave us time to prepare. We had planned for a six-week programme. Every team is starting over the weekend, so it’s good that we have worked on almost all the aspects of the game,” Mutapa said.
Green Eagles will also begin the campaign with a strengthened squad, with Joel Yoram and Rickson N’gambi among the new arrivals.
Mutapa believes the pair have settled quickly and added greater depth to his squad.
“I think they have jelled well with the other guys. They have brought something different to the team in terms of depth. I can say we are better than last season.”
The new signings have also benefited from a full pre-season, including a trip to South Africa where Green Eagles faced African champions Mamelodi Sundowns twice.
“It’s good we had them for pre-season and in terms of the matches we played, we did well in South Africa. We played with the African champions, Sundowns, twice. So we are ready for this coming season,” Mutapa said.
The coach has also confirmed that Green Eagles have no injury concerns heading into their opening fixture, giving him a full squad from which to select his team.
“For now we don’t have any injury concerns. We are good to battle tomorrow,” he said.
That preparation will now be put to the test at Shinde Stadium, a venue Mutapa expects to provide a demanding opening challenge.
“We are very ready at a difficult pitch, but we are geared to do well in tomorrow’s encounter.”
The transitional nature of the campaign means there is little margin for a slow start, with Mutapa stressing the importance of collecting points early.
“Transitional league is very tricky because if you just don’t do well in a few games, you just find yourselves in the drop zone, so the first games are always important. We just have to do well in the first games.”
Green Eagles have been placed in a challenging stream alongside several established sides, including defending champions Red Arrows, ZESCO United, Kabwe Warriors and Mufulira Wanderers.
Mutapa, however, says his focus remains on improving his own team rather than worrying about the opposition.
“It’s a tough stream. We have Red Arrows who are playing CAF. We have ZESCO who are one of the toughest teams. So it’s not going to be easy. We have Kabwe Warriors and Mufulira Wanderers, they are all tough teams, but we are just focusing on ourselves as Green Eagles to do better.”
The Kawale Boys have also added experience to their technical set-up, with former Zambia international Warren Kunda joining Mutapa’s staff as one of his assistants.
Kunda spent more than two decades playing at the highest level, representing clubs including Mufulira Wanderers, Nkana and Green Eagles.
“Warren Kunda has given the game more than 20 years, playing for the likes of Wanderers, Nkana, Eagles and other teams. Having played the game for more than 20 years at the highest level and being a leader in all the teams he has played for, it’s good that now we’ve roped him in as one of our assistants,” Mutapa said.
“He has to help us. He’s one of our assistants.”
Mutapa also says the club has received strong backing ahead of the new campaign, including a new team bus, while the successful South African pre-season has further strengthened preparations.
“The sponsors have done everything possible. The new bus, we did pre-season very well in South Africa, so it’s left to us now to do the job.”
The Green Eagles coach has also called on supporters to play their part as the team begins its campaign.
“For supporters, even on the Copperbelt they come in large numbers. They just have to give the boys the motivation and we are ready.”
Wanderers look to home advantage
Mufulira Wanderers will be hoping to use home advantage to begin the season on a positive note under coach Lameck Banda.
Patson Kwataime is expected to play a key role in midfield, with Joseph Tumbwe also likely to feature, while experienced forward Brian Mwila could lead the attack.
The legendary Cup Fighters, however, will be without two players.
Striker Henry Omollo is unavailable while on international duty with the Kenya Under-23 national team, having recently featured in their Olympic qualifying campaign.
Winger Kenneth Phiri is also set to miss the match because of illness, although the club expects him to return to full training next week.
There is some good news for the home side, with John Foloko back from national duty after helping Zambia’s Under-20 side win bronze at the recently concluded COSAFA tournament. He is expected to feature against Green Eagles.
Head-to-head
The last 13 meetings between the two sides have produced eight Green Eagles victories, four draws and two wins for Mufulira Wanderers.
Ten of those 13 encounters have produced at least one goal, adding another layer of interest to an opening-day fixture that brings together two sides with contrasting ambitions.
Green Eagles are expected to rely on Spencer Sautu, Derrick Bulaya, Amity Shamende and Collins Sikombe as they look to begin their transitional campaign with three points.
For Wanderers, the objective will be to make the most of home advantage and start their campaign strongly when the two sides meet at Shinde Stadium.
