Wounds keep getting deeper for NAPSA Stars FC who have failed to record a single win in their last six matches with the latest result seeing the team lose by a goal to nil to Forest Rangers FC.
Coach Perry took his charges to Ndola to face his former side and got punished in a week-16 match of the MTN Super League.
With Augustin Mulenga and David Odhiambo being out of the team, the coach had to utilize his many options for this match which was played at Ndola’s TradeFair Ground.
NAPSA Stars now seat 14th on the log, just a step above the relegation zone with 18 points after the 16 games played.
The game started with high intensity, seeing both teams wanting to get an early goal by creating deadly chances.
The 11th minute of the game saw Forest Rangers interchanging passes that led to a powerful shot from Clifford Mulenga before hitting the rebound that went slightly over the bar after NAPSA Stars Goalkeeper Jackson Kakunta made an acrobatic vital save.
Jimmy Mukeya who had the closest chance of scoring in the first half sent the ball flying slightly above the bar in the 20th minute of the game.
As the game unfolded, Forest Rangers broke the deadlock just minutes into the added time before the game went to half time through a powerful strike from Libamba Moyela.
A minute later, Sydney Kalume was sent off after receiving a second yellow card having gotten his first in the 8th minute of the game.
When NAPSA Stars was desperately looking for an equalizer, a foul was committed against Forest Rangers Goalkeeper Allan Chibwe just before the ball went into the net making it not count in the 75th minute.
Meanwhile, during a post-match interview, NAPSA Stars gaffer Perry Mutapa described the loss as painful, having gone now seven games without a win.
He however said he will go back to the drawing board to understand why the team is not performing well and thereafter find a solution.
Having been reduced to ten Men on the pitch after Kalume was sent off when he received his second yellow card, Mutapa said the team played well despite failing to score.
“There was no difference even with 10 men, I think we put up a strong fight. We had chances but we did not burry them. Just burying the chances we create has been difficult for us, so we need to see which plan we can do for us to be scoring.” Mutapa said.
He further said the other alternative will be looking for strikers on the market who can help in scoring goals.
Responding to a question if the NAPSA might be relegated from the Super League, Mutapa indicated that the team will stabilize come the second round of the season.
“We have the confidence we are going to do well. it is good it has happened now, and we will have time to rectify that. We do not have the worry that we will go back to Division One League, we are going to fight and stay in the premier league.” Mutapa said.
And Forest Ranger Assistant Coach Kennedy Kashobondo expressed happiness to have collected a win at home.
He said the team had targeted a win and went into this match with a mentality of winning.
Just like Mutapa, Kashobondo said his team has been blunt firing shots at the goal, a problem he has observed.
“We have that problem, we have been working on it, but it is not a one-day job but that is why we are pushing for that so that we start scoring more goals. That is why we are here as coaches to work on the finishing.” Kashobondo said.
With this loss, NAPSA Stars has now moved to 14th position with 18 points while Forest Rangers move to second position 28 points.
The next game for NAPSA Stars will be at home when they host Prison Leopards this Saturday in a week 17 encounter where the Pensioners will be seeking redemption.
Ends