National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) Acting Director General Ronnie Kamanya has urged the Perry Mutapa Coached side to work as a team and emerge victorious in today’s match.
The much-anticipated ABSA Cup final is set for this afternoon at The Nkoloma Stadium with Eden National Division One side NAPSA Stars FC facing MTN Super League Champions Red Arrows FC.
The Head of State and Patron Mr. Hakainde Hichilema is expected to grace this match which is scheduled for 15:00hours.
Mr. Kamanya visited the team at their Camp House yesterday to give them motivation ahead of today’s match.
The Acting DG was accompanied by NAPSA Directors who included Director Internal Audit Mr. Owen Chimpinde, Director Contributions and Benefits Mr. Mason Mwiinga, Director Finance Mr. Mutembele Simwinga.
“The President will come to grace the occasion so let us show him what we are made of. Let us enjoy the game and emerge victorious. We are behind you and wishing you all the best,” Mr. Kamanya said.
And to reach the final, NAPSA Stars FC eliminated Green Buffaloes FC and Nkana FC in the quarter and semi-final respectively.
The Pensioners are coming into this final having participated three other times and winning the competition once in 2012.
This is the fourth appearance for the Pensioners to what is currently Zambia’s only running Cup Competition.
In 2014, the team came close but were eliminated by Zesco United in the Semi-final round.
Another impressive run came in the 2017 when the team reached the final round under Coach Linos Makwaza who had taken over Coach Tenant Chilumba. Napsa lost this match to Zanaco FC.
2020 should have been NAPSA’S fourth participation under Coach Mohamed Fathi but the competition could not take place owing to COvid-19 outbreak.
Red Arrows on the other hand won the cup in 2013 to succeed NAPSA Stars as Champions.
And to reach this final, the Airmen eliminated Nkwazi and Green Eagles in the quarter and Semi-final matches respectively.
And NAPSA Stars FC team Head Coach Perry Mutapa has urged his boys to enjoy today’s match with the gaffer emphasizing that his team will not be under pressure facing Arrows.
The Coach also confirmed the absence of sensational midfielder Austin Banda will not be available for this match owing to a family bereavement.
“We have worked so hard to reach this far and it’s not by chance. We will enjoy the match and give it our best,
“We are coming from a very difficult league and our aim was to bounce back which we have done. Going into this ABSA Cup Final match, pressure is on Arrows and not us because they will be playing in front of their home fans,” Coach Perry adds.
The match which was initially set for Heroes Stadium, has been moved to Nkoloma Stadium, home of Red Arrows FC, with coach Perry confident that this will not disadvantage his side.
“I know the authorities did their best in organizing the venue for us, but this will bring more pressure on Arrows and not us. We will not give them an easy final,” Coach Perry adds.
And NAPSA Stars FC defender Aaron Kabwe has added that the Pensioners have not reached this far in the competition by chance and will fight in tomorrow’s match.
Winners of this Cup will pocket K650,000 with the losing team walking away with K350,000. Player and Coach of the tournament will pocket K25,000 each, while the player of the match will pocket K15,000.
FORM GUIDE
Red Arrows are coming from winning their last league match which confirmed them champions of the MTN Super League.
The Airmen have had an impressive season in their super league competition which has seen them bag the 2021/2022 league title.
The Pensioners on the other side, are coming from winning their last league match which has seen the team confirm their qualification to the Super League after one season of playing in the ABSA Cup.
Both teams are looking at bagging this year’s ABSA Cup title to see the teams end on a high.
The last time these two teams met was in the MTN Super League. The first leg ended in a draw while Red Arrows beat NAPSA by two goals to nil in the second leg.
Today’s match is set for the Nkoloma Stadium at 15hours.
Ends