Coach Numba Mumamba is the man in charge of the sensational Lusaka based club, Zanaco Football Club. He has done well since being appointed coach at Sunset Stadium; winning a league title in 2016 and also masterminding the triumph in what seemed to be an elusive Barclays Cup in 2017.
That was not the case last season when Zanaco finished out of the top four behind Green Eagles, Green Buffaloes, Nkana and Zesco United. The team finished 13 points behind league winners, Zesco United.
Having been a force to reckon with in the 2017 season when they lost the league title by just one point to Ndola based club Zesco United. The team was solid under the leadership of Ziyo Tembo. In the 2017 season, Zanaco lost the fewest number of matches (5), drawing 13 games and winning 20 while finding the back of the net 57 times (most goals of the season) allowing 28.
The scenario was different last season; losing 10 games, drawing 4 managing to win 21 which translated to 67 points. This was not enough for the team to bounce back into the CAF Interclub competitions. Once again, Zanaco were among the high scoring teams alongside Nkana (66), Zesco (53) and Green Eagles (52) with Sensational getting 53 goals.
The undoing however, was the defence whiched leaked in 40 goals, something uncharacteristic of Zanaco in the past few seasons prior to last season. There was little that could be done as the backline was aging and was getting slower by each game played.
In a bid to compete on equal footing, Zanaco coach and the management at Sunset has made changes to the squad. The club has released six players as well as announcing a number of new arrivals.
The following players were released before the start of Zanaco’s preseason in Chipata. George Chilufya after expiry of contract, Chongo Chirwa, Andrew Kwiliko, Diddy Mpiana Kitumbo, Kennedy Musonda, who has since been loaned to Kabwe Warriors, Zimiseleni Moyo, club did not renew his contract. Isaac Chansa, who had six months remaining on his contract recently left the Bankers for Forest Rangers.
In a view to strengthen and add stability, Zanaco FC announced arrival of Congolese left-back, Disengomoka Pangi Autriche from Sporting Clube de Cabinda in Angola, Patient Ikamba from Lusaka Dynamos, former Unisport de Bafang captain, Richepin Tchokouaya, Kevin Owusu (Centre Back) from Nkwazi, Peter Kalota (Left-back) from Young Zanaco and midfielder Kelvin Kampumbu who was recalled after a two-year loan spell at Lumwana Radiants.
Zanaco’s pre-season training camp started back in December (9 December) and Mumamba Numba travelled to Chipata with his squad for a 14-day intensive training camp. The team played a series of friendlies against select sides from Eastern Province.
Numba included five youngstars in his Zanaco pre-season squad. Prosper Chiluya (left-back), Pempelo Mwanza (Striker) Pumulo Siwanga (Striker), Reagan Mpashi (Striker) and Chanda Mwape Jr. (Midfielder) were all included with hope that they will bring energy to the Sensational Zanaco team. Also included in the squad that travelled to Chipata was former National Assembly and Forest Rangers defender Rex Nkhata.
The Bankers have not completely changed the entire squad, with the likes of Toaster Nsabata, Richard Kasonde, Romaric Pitroipa, Tafadzwa Rusike, Chitiya Mususu, Martin Phiri, Guily Manziba, Ernest Mbewe, Boyd Musonda, Maisha Chavda, Felix Nyaende, Julius Situmbeko, Peter Banda, Racha Kola among others still part and parcel of the team.
The Bankers have played quite a good number of friendlies with the likes of Circuit City, Forest Rangers who beat them 4 goals to One, City of Lusaka, Maisha and Martin Phiri scoring a goal each to give Zanaco a 2-0 win.
Other preseason friendlies saw Zanaco thump MUZA FC 5-0, Edge Nkwazi 2-1 and 3-2 over two friendly games, before whipping Lumwana Radiants 4-0 with Roger Kola getting a brace, Maisha and Pitroipa scoring one goal a piece with the most recent match coming against Malaiti Rangers whom they beat 4-1 and 2-0.
Considering the number of friendlies played, the Bankers fans are hopeful that the team will perform better compared to last season. Administratively, Zanaco have looked up to the experience and expertise of former SuperSport marketing manager for Southern Africa, Marlon Kananda, who served for eight years. Kananda, however, said in an interview after his appointment that the task to make Zanaco a force to reckon with both in Africa and locally was tough but achievable.
The team will kick-off its 2019 Transitional Super League season against Red Arrows in a Lusaka Derby on 27th January at Sunset before engaging in another Lusaka derby with Lusaka Dynamos on 2nd February at Woodlands Stadium.
With the reported ultimatum at Sunset on coach Numba and his technical staff, how do you see Zanaco performing this season?
