Kansanshi Dynamos head coach Dennis Makinka says his side must make a strong start to the 2026 Zambian Premier League Transitional Season as they prepare for a demanding opening run of fixtures.
The Fearless Mabanga Boys will begin their campaign away to newly promoted Makeni All Stars on October 4 before travelling to face FC MUZA six days later.
Reigning champions Power Dynamos then visit Kansanshi on October 14, with Konkola Blades providing the opposition at home three days later before the opening five matches are completed away to ZANACO on October 24.
Makinka believes the delayed start has given his squad valuable additional preparation time, despite concerns over players potentially experiencing fatigue after beginning pre-season earlier than originally planned.
“We were preparing that probably the league would start on the 6th of September, but it was announced that it will start on the 3rd of October,” Makinka said.
“We started so early, there might be fatigue as we go, but we are football people, we are coaches, we are able to make adjustments and suit to the situation.”
The Zambian Premier League initially communicated September 12 as the start date for the Transitional Season, before revising the schedule. The campaign will now begin on October 3 and run until January 27, 2027.
The season will officially open with the Charity Shield on September 19, when Power Dynamos face Red Arrows, before the league gets underway following the September international window.
For Kansanshi, the revised schedule means more time to prepare for a particularly difficult opening sequence.
“Very tough games, but obviously to be in the Premier League you have to play against the tough opponents, you have to play against the best,” Makinka said.
“All these teams which are in the Premier League are the best teams, the top teams in the country. Playing the reigning champions in the first three games, it’s a challenge that we need to take with both hands.”
Makinka, however, is embracing the challenge and believes Kansanshi must approach the shortened campaign with urgency.
“It’s very important for us to make a strong start. Short season — if you start slow, you snooze, you lose. You blink a bit, the teams are gone,” he said.
“We need to be at the same pace with the other teams. Obviously, we need to be strong and start well like the way we finished the last season.”
Kansanshi finished last season strongly, and Makinka wants his players to carry that momentum into the Transitional Season rather than simply maintain their previous level.
The coach also believes the campaign provides an opportunity for the club to grow in confidence and establish itself among Zambia’s leading sides.
“We can’t be on the same page or we can’t be on the same level every time. We need to improve,” he said.
“Even a baby, when you feed the baby, you expect them to grow. So it’s high time as Kansanshi Dynamos we started growing in confidence and believing in ourselves that we are here also to compete.”
Makinka says the club’s executive, sponsors and supporters have provided the necessary backing for the team to improve, while the extended pre-season has also allowed the coaching staff more time to assess potential additions.
“The game is always 11 against 11, so we need to grow in confidence and just believe more that we can do anything that any other team can do,” he said.
“This transitional season, I expect a lot from the boys. I expect a lot from the team.”
With a demanding opening schedule and fewer league matches than a conventional season, Makinka knows Kansanshi cannot afford a slow start.
The coach is now focused on using the additional preparation time to fine-tune his squad before the October 4 opener against Makeni All Stars.
