NAPSA Stars Football Club Head Coach Mohamed Fathi is upbeat about his team’s first participation at the Confederations of African Football Club Competitions.
Coach Fathi in his interview with Napsa Stars FC media said he is happy that the team managed to achieved the target given by the board to finish in top four and qualify for continental football.
Napsa Stars FC finished fourth on the log with 48points, two points less than League winners Nkhana FC who finished the competition with 50 points. Fourth place automatically gave Napsa Stars FC its first ever chance to participate in continental football.
Coach Fathi has finally come out saying missing out on the League title was painful, but was quick to add that he is very proud of his players for the good fight.
The pensioners had a chance of winning the league title in their last game played against Forest Rangers FC but missed that chance after losing by a goal to nil.
“I am happy we achieved the target despite losing our important game that could have made us champions. But this automatically makes us work even harder in the next season because we now know what we are capable of,” Fathi said.
The coach also adds that Covid-19 outbreak affected his team, with 15 players having been tested positive to the virus.
He adds that his side enjoyed a good run before the Coronavirus outbreak and could have done a better job if the virus did not disturb the league.
“We enjoyed a good run before Covid -19 outbreak and I know we could have finished even on a better position if we were not disturbed because we had managed to even beat bigger teams like Zesco United and Green Eagles. When we came back, we did well in the Buildcon game and only lost it in the last game, but its football and that is water under the bridge,” Fathi explains.
And going into the next competitions, the Egyptian national says he is looking at reinforcing his squad ahead of the 2020/2021 Season and CAF competition so as to have depth in the team.
However, the coach could not reveal his targets saying everything would be done once all paper works are finalised.
And the coach has set targets of reaching as far as group stage in Continental competition, adding that he believes the team he is assembling will carry out this task diligently.
“If you look at our progress from 2018 when we survived relegation, we have been competing well and this is big impression that we are getting there. Zambian players are always willing to learn and to improve and I’m happy with the team I have worked with for reaching this far,” Coach Fathi adds.
Coach Fathi has also continued to thank the club sponsors NAPSA through the leadership of Director General Mr. Yollard Kachinda, and Club executive through the leadership of Dr. Greg Nsofu for the never-ending support to the team.
In his last remarks, coach Fathi also thanked the Club supporters for the continued love and support shown to the team and promised them victories in the coming season.