NAPSA Stars Football Club Head Coach Perry Mutapa says he is confident of his team bouncing back to the Super League.
The Pensioners who won by a goal to nil in their week-31 game against Police College yesterday, now need three points to confirm their return to Zambia’s elite league.
Coach Perry was saying in his post-match interview that he is confident of qualifying with the three matches remaining.
Two slots have already been taken up with only two remaining and three teams all fighting to grab the two reaming slots.
Napsa Stars FC looks to be sitting on a better position as they lead fourth and fifth placed Nchanga and Mighty by six and seven points respectively.
And Coach Perry had the courage of testing fresh legs in yesterday’s match which saw him only maintain two players from his regular starting 11.
Only goalkeeper Rodwell Mukwanya and defensive midfielder Keegan Zulu was used in the starting 11 with other regular players being rested and others starting from the bench.
Coach Perry explained that the idea was to rest some of his players for both the remaining matches and the ABSA Cup final match set for this weekend.
“We did not underrate Police College, we simply wanted to give chance to other members of the team especially after we saw how the regular players looked fatigued in the last match, we played against Might Mufulira Wanders FC,” Coach Perry said.
Kennan Phiri scored for NAPSA Stars FC in the 22nd minute when he headed in a well take cross from Aaron Kabwe.
“The guys that played did a great job, this has given us a hard puzzle to solve because we have to look at who will play this coming weekend in the ABSA Cup final and everyone has a chance,” Coach Perry said.
The coach only made his first substitution in the 62nd minute when he introduced Gift Zulu for Aaron Kabwe, Luka Banda for Felix Banda and Thomas Banda for Kenna Phiri.
Daniel Adoko was introduced in the 72nd minute for Chanda Mushili while Jimmy Mukeya was rested in the 82nd minute for Simon Nkhata.
The gaffer has also stressed the need for the team to keep pushing with the three league games remaining to finish in a respectable position.
The pensioners next match is the ABSA Cup final against Red Arrows FC at Heroes Stadium this Saturday.
With yesterday’s victory, Coach Perry is confident that the boys have boosted morale foing into this ABSA Cup match.
Ends