When Muhamad Fathi was appointed Head Coach for Napsa Stars in 2018, there was one keynote message from one of his thoughts on the team .
“We must turn from doubters to believers and we shall survive,” said the emotional Egyptian Coach as a lot believed NAPSA Stars would be relegated with 18 games to play and on 10 points with a negative 20 goal difference when the man arrived.
Less than two years on, no-one doubts Muhamad Fathi or his players. After a remarkable rise from fighting relegation on his arrival to almost at the edge of winning the Super League for NAPSA Stars. The team can without a doubt be considered as the domestic perch as CAF representatives too.
Napsa Stars and their coach were forced to wait an extra three months for this dream to be realized as the season was halted by the global coronavirus pandemic but the silverware is close at hand for his revitalization of the club and its support. Its 90 minutes separating them from being called ZSL Champions for the first time. Napsa Stars will win the championship with whatever score line of a win against Forest Rangers on Thursday.
Fathi’s public persona is the big man with the perceptible approach and the emotions which he never hides away from any form of result after each game. The animated presence in the technical area, celebrating with players and fans. So much more goes on behind the public image – so much more that gives the lie to those who nonsensically claimed Fathi’s greatest coaching quality in his early days at his earlier clubs in Zambia was as a participant and not a winner.
“Our Objective from the start was to end in CAF continental competition placces and getting into Thursday game, we are now looking at two in one; that is winning the title as well as qualifying for CAF, We are approaching the game with a positive mind especially that the opponent is also looking at winning the game for a CAF slot. It’s a tough game but we know what we want and what we have been waiting for come the end of the season,” the confident Fathi spoke to Bwezani.
Napsa Stars will win the Super League with a victory against Forest Rangers while the home team will be hoping to remain in the top four for continental participation.
The Pensioners have won six of the last 15 games the two teams have played against each other with Forest Rangers winning five. The rest four games have ended into draws. Napsa Stars’ last visit into Ndola to play Forest Rangers ended into a 3-2 victory with a hat trick from Laudit Mavugo while Adam Zikiru and Austin Muwowo got the goals for Forest Rangers.
The game is live on Supersport from Levy Mwanawasa Stadium at 15:00hrs on Thursday , 6th August 2020.
@Bwezani2020