The long wait for the 2022/2023 season is finally over as Pensioners kick off the season with a local derby clash against Air Force side Red Arrows Football Club in their match week-one of the MTN Sponsored league.
Napsa Stars Head Coach Perry Mutapa has declared his team ready for this open encounter to be played at Nkoloma Stadium today.
During a pre-match interview, Mutapa said he is aware of the caliber of the game Red Arrows has, citing how they performed well last season and that his team will be equal to the task.
The Coach adds that it is exciting to meet the current League Champions in the opener, because it will help set a tone for his side going forward in the league.
Mutapa however believes that going into this game, Red Arrows will need to sweat in order to get a victory.
“Coming into this game, obviously you cannot predict results, but they will not have it their way.” Mutapa said.
This is one match that one can refer to as a fierce rivalry seeing how this is the third time the two teams are meeting in a space of five months, for three different matches.
The first meeting was in the ABSA Cup final which saw NAPSA Stars win by a goal to nil. The second match came in last weekend when the two teams faced off in the Charity Shield match which saw Red Arrows win by the same margin.
And today the two teams meet for their week-one match of the 2022/23 MTN Super League scheduled for Nkoloma Stadium.
MATCH OVERVIEW
NAPSA Stars FC head coach Perry Mutapa will be looking for a perfect start to the season especially after enduring a disappointing Charity Shield match last weekend.
Coming fresh from the Eden National Division One League, the Pensioners will be looking at making a mark in the MTN Super League as the team’s main aim stays that of stabilizing in the league.
Arrows will also be looking at getting another win over NAPSA Stars especially that they will be playing in front of their home fans again.
TEAM NEWS
It has been a great and busy pre-season for both sides, with each squad undergoing some changes ahead of the new season.
NAPSA Stars has signed five new players ahead of the new season while Red Arrows have signed nine players.
The Pensioners finished third on the log last season after winning 17 matches, drawing 10 and losing seven to earn their promotion back to the Super League.
Red Arrows on the other side, won the MTN Super League after winning 20 games, drawing 10 and losing only four matches.
“We are back again on the same pitch in a space of three matches, but this is a different ball game. We are two quality sides and we both had good games last season so this will be an interesting one,” Says coach Perry in is pre-match briefing.
The coach adds that it’s good to meet the champions in the opener because it will help set a tone for his side going forward.
Meanwhile Arrows Goalkeeper trainer Kalililo Kakonje says the champions will not underrate NAPSA Stars going into today’s match.
And NAPSA Stars forward Musonda Kapembwa it is exciting to return to the Super League and playing Champions in the first match.
“We picked up a lot of positives from the last match and ready for today. We are excited to be back in the elite league,”Musonda says.
No injury concerns for Coach Perry Mutapa-coached side, as Arrows confirm three injuries from their camp in Twiza Chaibela, Elvis Bisong and Tresor.
SOME KEY PLAYERS
Chaniza Zulu (NAPSA Stars): A fit and fast Chaniza Zulu will be one player to look out for in the NAPSA Stars camp especially after having a great 2021/22 season.
Musonda Kapembwa-(NAPSA Stars) ‘This is Muzo’ – has promised us another exciting season after coming out top scorer for the club with seen goals in the last season.
Dickson Chapa (NAPSA Stars) – Chapa has returned from his Zesco United FC after spending a season there and is likely to feature in today’s match.
Ricky Banda (Red Arrows)– The striker finished the league with 16 goals last season and will be looking forward to a great game today against NAPSA Stars.
Chapeshi Benedict (Red Arrows) – The captain has been very instrumental in the Red Arrows camp and NAPSA Stars will have to look out for him in this matc.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
It has been a tight affair between the two side in the last two meetings. The two sides met for the ABSA Cup which saw NAPSA Stars win by a goal to nil, and the two met again in the Charity Shield which saw Red Arrows win by the same margin.
In the 2021 season, the two battled to a 2all draw in the first half, with the second half seeing Arrows win by a 2goals to nil.
HOW TO WATCH RED ARROWS VS NAPSA STARS FC
The game is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport variety 4.
You can always follow the action by keeping an eye on live updates posted on all NAPSA Stars FC social media platforms.
Tickets are being sold at the stadium at K20 all round and K100 VIP.