By Angela Bambala Bwalya
NAPSA Stars second assistant coach Keegan Syabeene expects a fiercely contested encounter when his side travels to Sunset Stadium to face Zanaco FC in Week Three of the 2026 MTN Super League Transitional Season on Saturday.
Syabeene believes the local derby will be difficult to predict, with both teams expected to raise their game as they battle for maximum points.
“Obviously, for the game being a local derby, you expect it to be unpredictable because all the players rise to the occasion. A derby is not about the previous result or how a team is prepared. It is just an event that comes with its own flavour,” Syabeene said.
NAPSA Stars head into the fixture in search of their first win of the campaign after opening their season with consecutive draws. They shared a 1-1 result with FC MUZA before playing out a goalless draw away to Trident FC in Kalumbila.
Syabeene says the technical bench remains focused on improving the team’s overall performance while integrating new signings into the squad following the pre-season period.
“Our focus is obviously on the progression of the team, especially that we brought in some new players, which we are trying to gel. So far, so good. The response towards training was okay,” he said.
The coach added that the team had worked on areas requiring improvement following their draw against Trident as they prepared for the challenge posed by Zanaco.
Despite their slow start in terms of results, NAPSA Stars can draw confidence from their recent head-to-head record against the Bankers, having won seven of their last 10 meetings. Zanaco have recorded two victories, with the other encounter ending in a draw.
However, Syabeene is wary of the threat posed by their opponents, who have collected three points from their opening two matches and sit fourth in Stream A, one place above NAPSA Stars, who have two points.
The assistant coach says defensive organisation has been encouraging, but the team must become more clinical in attack, particularly when exploiting opportunities on the counter.
“Defensively, we have been doing well and if you look at the Tusker game, we played a clean sheet. But obviously there are little flaws. We are improving the performance of the defence, and we are also trying to work on the striking,” he said.
“We are also looking at how we can put up some quick break attacks to include a high level of intensity and, of course, try to score the chances that we create on the first break.”
Syabeene also emphasised that NAPSA Stars must approach every match with the same determination to collect maximum points, regardless of whether they are playing at home or away.
“At the end of the day, all points matter. What is important is that you prepare and have the team more focused in training. Regardless of whether you are playing at home or away, the core point is to get maximum results,” he said.
NAPSA Stars could have one or two injury concerns ahead of the encounter, with the affected players set to undergo late fitness tests before their availability is confirmed.
Nevertheless, Syabeene expressed confidence in the depth of his squad, insisting that those called upon would be capable of delivering when needed.
“We might have one or two concerns, but we subject them to a late fitness test before we confirm whether we rule them out or not. At the end of the day, everyone is equal to the task and ready to seal the game,” he said.
The assistant coach has also called on the club’s supporters to turn out in numbers and provide the backing needed as the team seeks its first victory of the campaign.
“The league is in its early stages, so we need the 12th player. They are important to the team and are stakeholders. They are part of the team, so their voice behind the team is always important,” he said.
“We appreciate them and just ask them to come in numbers so that, as we fight for the team, they also push the boys from the outside.”
Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 hours at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday, October 17.
