By Angela Bambala Bwalya
ZANACO FC head coach Numba Mumamba says his side must hit the ground running when they open their MTN Transitional League campaign against Nchanga Rangers in Chingola on Saturday.
The Bankers travel to Nchanga Stadium for a 15:00 kick-off, with Mumamba underlining the importance of collecting a positive result in a shortened transitional campaign.
“This game is important because we have to go there with winning in mind because this league is short. Once you start this league struggling, then you find other teams have already gone ahead,” Mumamba said.
“That’s why we need to make sure that we are at our best as we play Nchanga Rangers so that we get a positive result.”
Zanaco have spent the build-up to the campaign working on integrating new arrivals into the squad, and Mumamba believes the newcomers have already settled well and increased competition for places.
“The coordination is looking very good from the new guys who have joined us. They have brought in that competition,” he said.
“From the training games that we have had so far, the team is coordinating and has jelled in so far.”
Mumamba is now hoping that the progress shown on the training ground will translate into a strong competitive performance against Nchanga Rangers.
“They have settled quickly and we only hope they can pick up what they are doing in training now going into the first game of the season. They have added value to the team, so we expect them to go there and perform.”
Mumamba targets improved finishing
One area ZANACO have specifically worked on during their preparations is finishing.
Mumamba says the team created opportunities last season but failed to make enough of them count, and he wants greater efficiency in front of goal this time around.
“Of course, when we went there, we had a number of chances that we couldn’t convert, but we’ve worked on our finishing,” he said.
“We hope the guys who will have an opportunity at goal will do the right thing by applying the right technique in front of goal so that we can convert the chances that will come in that game.”
The coach has also called on ZANACO supporters to continue backing the team as the Bankers begin their transitional campaign.
“We urge the fans to continue supporting the team. They have been there in good and in bad times, they’ve been there,” Mumamba said.
“We expect them to replicate the same attitude so that together we can perform better.”
ZANACO have the edge in the recent head-to-head record, winning five of their last 10 meetings with Nchanga Rangers. Two matches have ended in draws, while Nchanga Rangers have recorded three victories.
