It’s not yet time to separate pretenders from contenders as the league is yet to kick into fast and furious mode and teams termed “big” have not yet to work on their loopholes especially those who participated and are participating in continental games an attitude linked to a diesel engine.
Nkana were buzzed into ‘Bamusuma kuba red song by Alex Ng’onga in the 32nd minute for nothing when indeni paused the song in the 79th minute through Lawrence Mwenge equalizer to make Nkana continue their search for the first win against indeni since their 2-0 triumph to win the 2020/2021 Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity shield.
Since December 2020 Nkana has lost twice at the hands of indeni before the recent draw. The game didn’t have the intensity people would have expected but it showed character in the name of maturity as Nkana played without their head coach Beston Chambeshi who is with the national team in Cameroon.
If there’s a coach who felt disappointed was Mwenya Chipepo as his lads had a good number of changes that were put to waste. The week 6 fixture showed that the indeni are not yet in synch with Mwenya Chipepo’s system and tactics as they keep on lagging when attacking and defending, they’re not doing it as a unit but a lot of progress can be seen.
Indeni have only managed two wins this season which has come at the hands of newly-promoted sides in Kafue Celtic and Kasanshi Dynamos otherwise they a far from the ABSA Cup qualification mark and the first page of the two in the league and they are still playing for survival and not as competitors and should that unit play come in the team then indeni will upset many teams.
Match ratings 5.5
The match had no intensity, aggression, constant pace and one could have easily predicted that it would end in a draw, delaying tactics from Nkana after they scored also just added to the lack of flair in the match.
The match had tactical discipline as the shape of the formation was maintained almost throughout, it was played by Mwenya Chipepo and Nkana players, no panic from both teams, good build-up play from both sides, fair scoring chances created though not utilized.
NKANA 2021/22 SEASON SO FAR
Nkana has leaders in Alex ‘Bazo’ Ng’onga and Beston Chambeshi. If there is anything to brag about for Nkana then these two come into effect.
Nkana is deprived of quality and it’s very easy to pinpoint who the top performers are. It’s only Chambeshi and Alex Ng’onga who so far are carrying Nkana through the storm, Beston Chambeshi tactics seem to be doing the job for the record 13-time Zambia Super League Champions.
He has moved from the counter-attacking and ball possession gaffer tag to aLSO include a reserved type of play to suit the material and situation Nkana are in at the moment.
The team is having many bodies off the ball than on the ball and this explains why they are pumping high and long balls to reach Alex Ng’onga who with his antics has been a Messiah for Kalampa.
Chambeshi knows that the Nkana team lacks defensive players than offensive players and no wonder from the first game against Nkwazi when Nkana conceded three goals in one game their approach has changed. They have a very high likelihood of scoring than keeping a clean sheet.
They are having six players tasked with typical defending works and even when attacking only five are going for the goal and of the five, two are not going up fully but with a reserved and cautious view all this explains why their number 10 is behaving like a false one and not always found behind Alex Ng’onga to step up in his difficult spell and it is why their goal difference is at zero.
It’s easy to beat Nkana when you score first as opponents. Keep tabs on their lone striker and their wingers as they don’t have a person who one can point as a number 10 to step up in the absence of Alex Ng’onga or a bully number 11 to force things.
Mostly they’re playing with a false 10 with only the wingers providing the attacking impetus. It’s easy for opponents to win against Nkana when they score first by either keeping out their left and right wings.
A team that manages to score two goals against Nkana easily sets itself up for a win or a draw as Nkana is finding it difficult to score more than two goals in a game.
It’s yet to be known what Nkana can do in the absence of Alex Ng’onga and Beston Chambeshi.
So far Nkana is pegged at 6/10 from 2021/22 games played so far just slightly above average.
How?
Positives (+6/10)
Fear Factor
Most teams are still warry of the ‘likulu’ tag and it’s working to their advantage as their opponents are yet to start throwing everything at them for fear of being punished.
Beston Chambeshi
The 2017 U-20 AFCON winning gaffer is mastering tactics that are working to Nkana’s advantage not more of his usual style of counter-attacking football.
He has employed mostly a reserved style by playing around one man for goals and it’s working as they don’t need numbers to score and win games.
Alex Ng’onga
He seems to be stepping up when called upon and it’s easy to say he’ll be their hero again this season. They’ve got a top and consistent performer in the former Power Dynamos man.
Unity
Despite having an all-around top performer, Alex Ng’onga has never uttered or showed bad character towards his fellows. Even when things don’t get to be right everyone is getting involved.
It’s not a secret as it’s a no longer one-man show and to pick an example is the Kabwe Warriors game in which the team showed unity despite being one man down for most of the game but they managed a win and going forward this will make the team do wonders.
Passion
Nkana at the moment don’t really have the quality to compete favorably but it’s the player’s hearts which is making the team perform, they’re giving it all even when they know it’s difficult and this was seen in the game against a much-fancied Red Arrows which has many good players on paper.
The team did tight man-marking, didn’t pump long balls upfront but they made sure to force things from the back all the way upfront under difficult circumstances of Arrows Constant threat and they managed a win.
Quality
The team needs quality and it won’t be a surprise if they finish the 2021/22 season behind Zesco, Zanaco, Green buffaloes, Red Arrows and Lusaka Dynamos. It’s difficult to see them sneaking into the top four after the end of the season and that’s why there are even employing delaying tactics as early as they score even in the first half for example against indeni a thing that made Nkana goalie Kelvin Malunga get a yellow card.
No plan B
It’s yet to be known what they can do in the absence of Alex Ng’onga and Beston Chambeshi combined and it’s this which is serving as a worry for many followers of the team. They are doing wonders around Alex Ng’onga and Beston Chambeshi
Predictable
They are easily predictable especially when attacking and they’re making it easy for teams to Mastermind their tactics. Going forward they’ll record many draws and defeats should teams just understand their way of play which is centered around Bazo but then again when you have a player of that quality it’s inevitable.
