By MICHAEL MIYOBA
NKANA Football Club Chief Executive Officer Kelvin Mutafu has called on fans, the executive and the team led by coach Ian Bakala to remain united for the team to find its winning formula after struggling with four defeats and one draw in the first five games in the MTN/FAZ Super League.
Nkana adopted Woodlands Stadium as their home venue following a ban on Nkana Stadium and are bottom on the Super League table with one point collected from the 1-1 stalemate against FC Muza who lead the summit with nine points.
Mutafu said in an interview Nkana would bounce back from the shaky start where they recorded defeats to Forest Rangers, Green Eagles, Mutondo Stars and Red Arrows.
“We still have a lot of games to go and we have played five. From a possible 15 points we have collected one point which is really not a good situation for a team like Nkana. but I think the team is focused and we are hoping and trust that soon we will get the winning formula and catch up with our colleagues who are on top,” Mutafu said.
He said now was not the best time to start pointing fingers on who has caused the team to be in its current state.
Mutafu said playing home games away in Lusaka has had a negative impact on the players who have struggled to familiarise themselves with Woodlands Stadium because they are used to their home pitch.
He called on the players to adapt to Ian Bakala’s philosophy as head coach after he replaced Beston Chambeshi.
Mutafu also appealed to the fans to be united and rally behind the team to motivate the players to find a winning formula.
“Let’s be united, it is not time to finger pointing but to continue supporting the team to get the winning formula. it’s just the results which we need and I think the few games we have watched, the team has tried to push but it is just the goals which are not coming and very soon it will open up and goals will start coming through,” Mutafu said.
“Unity is important for us to get back to winning ways. we still have a lot of games. I have seen teams start on a shaky note like we have started but end up winning the league,” he said.
Asked on the need for Nkana to beef up with a lethal striker after struggling with only one goal in five games, Mutafu said; “The principle of the club is to give the coach freedom to recruit players. We don’t interfere in the recruitment so even coach Ian has been told to identify the weak areas and then he can beef up with maybe one or two players. we urgently need to reinforce upfront but when the window opens that’s when we will go flat out to fill all the other departments.”
Nkana will seek their first win of the season when they host Trident FC at Woodlands Stadium on Sunday.
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