NAPSA Stars Football Club has embarked on a 14-day pre-season camping in Livingstone as the team continues to prepare for the 2023/2024 MTN Super League season.
The team, led by Coach Perry Mutapa, arrived in the Tourist City on Sunday, July 23, 2023, accompanied by a 27-member squad, which also includes five promising players from the youth team.
Coach Perry explained that the team chose Livingstone as their destination due to the city’s favourable atmosphere, and this marks the fourth consecutive time the club has opted for the tourist capital for their pre-season preparations.
”We have brought along five players from our developmental team whom we are closely observing, and as a technical bench, we will decide on their future based on their performance,” said Coach Perry.
The five players joining the camp are strikers Farai Marabesa and Evans Kayombo, midfielder Nicholas Chisela, defender Evans Banda, and goalkeeper Raphael Phiri.
During this pre-season, the focus of the technical bench is on enhancing team fitness, fostering concentration, and strengthening team bonding among other things.
Coach Perry expressed satisfaction with the significant improvement displayed by the players since they resumed training for the upcoming 2023/24 season.
However, the squad is not yet complete as they are awaiting finalization of formalities to have all players identified for recruitment on board.
On a less positive note, the club has parted ways with three players: defender Joseph Lungu and goalkeeper Jackson Kunta, and midfielder Augustin Mulenga, who has signed with South African based Chappa United after the expiration of his contract.
Coach Perry emphasized the importance of taking the Livingstone Preseason seriously, given the heightened competition in the upcoming season.
He acknowledged that many clubs have strengthened their squads, making the league even more competitive than the previous season.
”Though we performed well last season, there is room for improvement. The upcoming season will be challenging, but we are determined to excel,” Coach Perry added optimistically.
NAPSA Stars finished fifth on the log last season with 51 points after 34 games played.