NAPSA Stars Football Club Head Coach Perry Mutapa says he’s confident that the team has now stabilized in the league after Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Green Buffaloes FC.
The Pensioners, who have gone four games collecting maximum points, have also moved second on the log after this reverse fixture which saw the team tied on 45 points with GBFC.
The Coach said in his post-match interview that the motivation behind the victories has always been that of beating the relegation mark, which the coach has confirmed that he is now confident that the team will play in the Super League next season.
NAPSA Stars spent a season in the lower division in the 2021/22 season. In the same season, the team managed to get promotion back to the Super League and win the 2022 ABSA Cup competition.
And asked about the target going forward and aspirations for CAF inter-club competitions, Coach Perry Mutapa said the technical bench and players now need to sit down and set new targets going forward.
Only five matches are remaining to conclude the current league campaign and NAPSA Stars will be fighting to finish in a better position looking at hope tight the table is.
In the first position is Power Dynamos who lead the 18 participating teams with55 points. Red Arrows and FC MUZA are fourth and fifth respectively sharing 44 points while ZESCO United and Forest Rangers are sixth and seventh with 43points.
And in Saturday’s match that saw NAPSA Stars return to Heroes Stadium after last playing there in week-25, it was Zikiru Adams that scored the first goal for the hosts in the 7th minute after benefiting from a GBFC bad clearance to shoot in close range.
The visitors equalized in the 18th minute through a penalty which was awarded to them by referee Trywell Mwape after Harry Milanzi Jr was brought down by Sydney Kalume.
Two minutes into the second half, Augustin Mulenga restored NAPSA Stars’ lead after benefiting from a Zikiru Adams pass.
In the 78th minute, Zikiru completed his brace benefiting from a great pass from Augustine Mulenga who managed to beat GBFC defense to freely cross into the box.
Substitute Jimmy Mukeya added to the wounds, scoring the last goal for NAPSA Stars in the 88th minute.
The Pensioner’s next fixture will be against Chambishi FC in Kitwe at Nkana Stadium on Sunday.
NAPSA STARS X1
Rodwell Mukwanya, David Odhiambo, Keegan Zulu, Gift Zulu, Daniel Adoko, Chaniza Zulu (Simon Nkhata 62’) , Sydney Kalume (Dickson Chapa 45’), Daniel Adoko, Augustine Mulenga (Aaron Kabwe extra time), Musonda Kapembwa (Jimmy Mukeya 62’), Zikiru Adams (Pinoki Vuvu 85’).
