By Angela Bambala Bwalya
Nkana FC head coach Elijah Tana says his side are ready for the challenge posed by Konkola Blades as the Kitwe giants target a fourth consecutive victory in the MTN Super League Transitional Season.
Nkana travel to Konkola Stadium on Sunday looking to maintain their perfect start after collecting maximum points from their opening three matches. Their latest outing saw them secure a 2-0 victory over Nchanga Rangers, leaving them second in Stream A.
However, Konkola Blades will be determined to respond after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Kansanshi Dynamos in their previous match. With two wins from their opening three games, the Chililabombwe side will be eager to return to winning ways on home soil.
Tana said preparations had gone according to plan, with the technical bench satisfied with the squad’s readiness for the encounter.
“Our preparations went well, so we are ready for the Konkola game,” he said.
The Nkana coach also confirmed that Bubu had trained well and earned a place in the 20-man squad selected for the trip, providing an additional option as the team prepares for the test.
“Everyone is ready. As you can see, Bubu has trained well, and he is among the 20 players we have selected,” Tana added.
With several players competing for starting places, Tana admitted that choosing his line-up had become increasingly difficult as members of the squad continued to push for opportunities.
“There is a headache there. Everyone is pushing,” he said.
Despite the challenge of playing away from home, Tana insisted that Nkana would approach the match with confidence, highlighting the importance of mental preparation.
“The way we have prepared, you know Nkana is always there to compete with any team. So we will go there with 100 percent, especially mentally,” he said.
Nkana will also draw confidence from their recent head-to-head record against Konkola Blades, having won six and drawn four of their last 10 meetings. The hosts will therefore have an opportunity to end that sequence while recovering from their defeat to Kansanshi.
With Nkana chasing a fourth straight win and Konkola seeking an immediate response, Sunday’s encounter promises to be a significant test for both sides.
Kick-off at Konkola Stadium is scheduled for 15:00 hours.
