Kansanshi Dynamos assistant coach Dennis Makinka praised his side’s character and belief after they secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Nchanga Rangers in Chingola, describing the result as a potential “turning point” in their season.
The Mabanga Boys completed a league double over their hosts thanks to goals from Kalonji Mwepu and Beby Musangala, while Davie Zulu pulled one back for Nchanga Rangers in a closely contested encounter.
Makinka reserved special praise for his players’ commitment, highlighting their effort both in training and on matchday as they edged a difficult fixture away from home.
“First of all, kudos to the boys. They are really working hard. You see them in training, and you can tell they are giving everything,” Makinka said.
“The points are very close on the table, so we need to pick every point possible. This victory is a morale booster for us going into the next game.”
Playing in Chingola has traditionally proven a stern test for visiting teams, and Makinka acknowledged the challenge posed by Nchanga Rangers, particularly with home support behind them.
“Nchanga Rangers gave us a tough game. They are a very difficult team to play against at home, especially with their supporters behind them. Congratulations to the boys, they’ve done us proud.”
The assistant coach also underlined the significance of securing results against higher-placed opposition, suggesting it reflects growing confidence and progress within the squad.
“When you start performing well against teams that are better placed than you, it shows progress. We challenged the boys this week—we asked them, ‘Are we all not in Zambia?’ So why should we only win at home?”
“Today they played with confidence, like they were at home. This should be our turning point.”
The victory lifts Kansanshi Dynamos to 12th place on 32 points, tightening their position in a congested mid-table battle.
Despite concerns over injuries, Makinka remains confident in the depth of his squad as they look ahead to their next fixture.
“We have a big squad. We’ll assess the injuries, but we have enough players to step in. We go back, prepare, and focus on the next game.”
