By MICHAEL MIYOBA
NAPSA Stars coach Mohamed Fathi says he is not worried with his team’s failure to qualify for the ABSA Cup after struggling to finish the first round of the FAZ Super Division in the top six bracket required for qualification.
Fathi however noted that the Pensioners who beat Kenyan giants Gor Mahia 1-0 in Nairobi will fight hard to qualify for the CAF Confederations Cup group stages to make it up for the ABSA Cup failures.
Fathi said it will be historical for NAPSA Stars who are making a debut appearance in the tournament to reach the group stages of the continental competition which features the best clubs in Africa.
“I’m not worried about missing the ABSA Cup even though it is a big competition in Zambia but if we miss ABSA but reach the group stage of the CAF Confederations Cup it will be a good thing,” Fathi said.
“We will miss the competition. Last year we had a chance to play in the ABSA but we couldn’t because of Covid-19 and this year because of some injuries we couldn’t but we will be together next year.”
Fathi said NAPSA Stars who have struggled in the Super Division with 18 points on 16th position will bounce back to finish the league in a position which will allow them to represent Zambia at continental level again.
He said most of the players who were injured have recovered to reinforce the squad ahead of upcoming Super Division matches and the CAF Confederations Cup return leg game against Gor Mahia.
Fathi said the league race is wide open and NAPSA Stars are capable of redeeming themselves as they are just 11-points behind the table toppers ZANACO FC who are on 29 points.
