By Angela Bambala Bwalya
Kansanshi Dynamos coach Dennis Makinka has challenged his players to bounce back from their heavy defeat to FC MUZA when they host Konkola Blades in their first home fixture of the 2026 MTN Super League Transitional Season on Saturday.
Kansanshi head into the Week Three encounter in Solwezi following a 4-1 loss to MUZA, while Konkola Blades arrive with confidence after recording an impressive 3-2 away victory over Zanaco FC.
The contrasting results set the stage for a competitive Stream A encounter, with Makinka keen to see his side put their setback behind them and deliver a positive performance in front of their home supporters.
The Kansanshi coach said the technical bench had focused on rebuilding the players’ confidence since returning to training on Monday, reminding them that the defeat was only a temporary setback in a long league campaign.
“The most important thing that we focused on as we resumed on Monday was to get them back to forget about the game. We told them this is just a bend and not the end. We are still moving. It’s a league, it’s a marathon,” Makinka said.
He added that morale remained positive within the squad, with preparations centred on addressing the defensive shortcomings exposed against MUZA while improving the team’s efficiency in front of goal.
Having conceded four times in their previous outing, Kansanshi will be eager to tighten their defence and make the most of their scoring opportunities as they prepare to play before their home fans for the first time this season.
“We need to stop the bleeding. Obviously, we allowed so many goals against MUZA. We have been working on defensive organisation and also on finishing because we are playing at home, our first game at home. We have to give our fans something to smile about,” he said.
However, Konkola Blades are expected to provide a stern test, having collected six points from their opening two matches to establish themselves among the early pace-setters in Stream A.
Their latest victory over Zanaco has underlined their competitive start, but Makinka insists his players must approach the contest with confidence while remaining mindful of the threat posed by their opponents.
The coach acknowledged the quality and experience of Konkola Blades counterpart Beston Chambeshi but urged his side to compete without fear.
“We need to be at our best. We need to play the game from the beginning. No underestimation, no fear, but obviously we have to have respect for them. The way they are playing, we have to respect them, but not fear,” he said.
The head-to-head record between the two sides suggests a closely fought contest. Konkola Blades have won three of their six previous meetings, while Kansanshi have claimed two victories, with the other encounter ending in a draw.
Their most recent meetings during the 2025/26 season produced a 1-1 draw in Solwezi before Konkola Blades secured a 2-1 victory at home.
Kansanshi currently sit eighth in Stream A with one point from their opening two matches, having drawn their first fixture before losing to MUZA. Saturday’s encounter offers them an opportunity to register their first win of the campaign and improve their position in the standings.
Konkola Blades, meanwhile, will be looking to maintain their winning momentum and consolidate their place near the top of the table.
On the team news front, Makinka confirmed that Mwango, Mike and Dalisai would miss the encounter, while Bakodila and Bokingo remain doubtful as the technical bench continues to assess their fitness.
Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 hours at Kansanshi Stadium in Solwezi.
