Osward Mutapa’s return to Nkwazi from Red Arrows was celebrated in Sikanze Camp as if they had hired Jose Mourinho.
With the team in deep trouble in the drop zone, there was no better coach to help them achieve their great escape.
While maintaining their Super League is what matters to the top brass at Zambia Police, there’s more to Mutapa’s return to Edwin Imboela Stadium.
Former Zambia and Zanaco striker Lawrence Lubinda has been roped in as video analyst and opposition scout.
Dennis Makinka, Billy Mwanza, Keagan Phiri and Edward ‘Bubble’ Kangwa are part of a youthful bench.
Mutapa, a known disciplinary, has been firm on the culture at the club as he tries to stamp his principles and values.
Trouble makers like Justin Shonga are warming the bench.
Although he brought veteran striker Peter Mwangeni to the club, Mutapa still has one eye on the future.
In the January transfer window, Mutapa signed three youngsters including Carlos Kaoma and Nicholas Zulu to boast his ranks.
Kaoma impressed on his debut and featured for an hour against Zanaco.
Zulu has been unused substitutes in the last two wins over Buildcon and Zanaco.
It’s not just those two Mutapa is pushing, speedy winner Kenneth Kasanga and full back George Njovu have been integral as he gives youth chance.
For someone who spotted Red Arrows youngster Happy Nsiku in July 2022, Nkwazi fans are optimistic that Kaoma, Zulu, Kasanga and Njovu have a bright future.
Since making his debut for Arrows, Nsiku is now a defensive pillar both at Zambia Under-20 and 23.
Focus now shifts to the weekend’s fixture against Green Buffaloes.
Can Nkwazi make it three wins in a row?
Since his return, Mutapa has guided Nkwazi to 12 points from a possible 21. 3 wins, a draw and 2 defeats.
That’s odd.
1st time to read that Shonga is seriously lacking in discipline.
Read earlier that he was looking for motivation in a bottle.
Not the first and certainly not the last to throw it all away.
Hope he can turn it around.