After their week of no competitive football, the Pensioners are back in league action this afternoon as they visit Kansanshi Dynamos in a match week-eight of the MTN Super League.
NAPSA Stars are coming into this match having previously beaten FC MUZA by three goals to nil in their week-six match.
With a week of no action owing to opponent, Zesco United’s involvement in CAF Confederation match, NAPSA Stars will be hoping to build on their week six momentum as they face a Kansanshi side that drew in their last match.
Team gaffer, Perry Mutapa has indicated that the one week break can either work in his team’s advantage or disadvantage depending on how they handle the match today.
And the two teams will be using a neutral ground owing to renovation works happening at Kansanshi’s Independence Stadium.
The two teams have had a rocky start to the league until recently when they started picking up points.
In a joint Pre-match press briefing, Kansanshi Dynamos Head coach Boyd Mulwanda indicated that the pitch being used for this afternoon is not up to the standard of his team’s style of play, but was quick to add that his boys have been adjusting to the situation.
And in agreement to this statement, especially with his team’s last performance at Lumwana Ground, Coach Perry added on to say that the type of football the two teams play makes it hard for them to flourish at the pitch being used today.
“I am happy that coach Boyd has talked about the pitch before we play, but we will play nevertheless, the game can go both ways, so may the best team win,” added coach Perry.
MATCH OVERVIEW AND FORM GUIDE;
The Pensioners are coming from a weekend free of action, but will want to build up on their week-6 momentum which saw the team beat FC MUZA 3-0 at Heroes Stadium a fortnight ago.
A weekend free saw the Perry Mutapa- coached side drop from eight to 11th position with a game in hand against Zesco United to be played this Wednesday.
Coach Perry has traveled with his strong 22-man squad with everyone that has traveled, being fit for selection this afternoon.
Kansanshi have not recorded a loss in their last two matches having picked up a win and a draw in those matches respectively.
The Mabanga boys are 10th on the log with nine points, a point and a step ahead of the Pensioners who are occupying 11th position with eight points.
TEAM NEWS
NAPSA Stars will be without the services of Simon Nkhata who featured in the last match but picked up an injury.
Striker Bernard Kaumoya is also ruled out owing to injury. Jackson Kakuntu is also not available owing to the same reason, explained coach Perry in his Pre-match press conference yesterday.
The Pensioners have also been boosted with the coming of Augustine Mulenga who has travelled to Northwestern province with the team for this encounter.
Others available are Leonard Mulenga who has returned after serving his one game suspension.
Kansanshi Dynamos on the other hand, have indicated that their Kenyan forward, Jesse Were is out of this match owing to injury.
Ronald Kampamba has also been ruled out after his one game involvement, explained coach Boys Mulwanda during a pre-match press conference.
HEAD TO HEAD
The last time the two teams met was in 2020 when Kansanshi hosted and beat NAPSA Stars by two goals to nil under coach Beston Chambeshi. NAPSA Stars FC also beat Kansanshi by a goal to nil in the first round of this season.
HOW TO WATCH KANSANSHI DYNAMOS FC VS NAPSA STARS FC
The match will be played at Lumwana Stadium in Lumwana at 15hours this afternoon.
You can also follow minutely updates on all NAPSA Stars FC Social Media platforms.