MTN Super League enters week two tomorrow, August 26, 2023, and NAPSA Stars FC Head Coach Perry Mutapa has previewed the fixture where NAPSA Stars FC will visit Green Buffaloes FC at Edwin Imboela Stadium in Lusaka.
Coach Mutapa spoke to the media via Zoom this morning to preview the match.
Question: What are your expectations ahead of tomorrow’s game, especially after a loss in week one?
Answer: It’s a big game, and a local derby, so it’s always interesting. Both teams are coming off losses, so we’re both looking to get a win. We lost to ZESCO United, a very big and experienced team, but I was happy with the application of the players, especially considering it was the first game of the season. We’re now facing a wounded Buffaloes side who are also coming off a loss, and they’re playing at home, but we don’t have to worry about that. We’re just focused on getting the win.
Nazim Amokachi: We’re going into this game very focused. The first game didn’t see us win, but like the coach said, the application was very good. So we move forward from there. The intensity is going to be very high, but we’re ready to go in and put in our best and win the game. The first game for me, I came out from the bench, and we were chasing the game, but I felt it was a pretty good experience for me getting used to the league and the tempo.
Question: How have you picked up from the first loss and what will you do differently going into tomorrow’s match?
Answer: We’ve told ourselves that we conceded a cheap goal because of lack of communication, but the application was top level. But it’s a first game that is gone, so we just need a win in the coming games to start better than last season where we had two points from three games. We’re playing a wounded team that lost to a team coming from Division One, so we don’t know how they will take this match.
Question: Looking at the performance from the last game, does it worry you in any way?
Answer: No, no. In fact, we get a lot of encouragement because we played a great ZESCO side. So, I think the balance of play was 50/50, and the application was okay. So going forward, we are encouraged with the loss because we lost to a big and experienced team.
Question: It’s one of the biggest games looking at how both teams are coming from the loss and your last two meetings from the last season which saw you both win in both halves, what do you want to take out of this game?
Answer: From the start of the league last season, we were two evenly poised teams. We both finished in the top five, so I know it will be an interesting game and a contest full of fireworks. But for us, we take solace because last season we had two points after week two, and we played by then champions Red Arrows. So even now, what we want to do is to beat the points we got in the first five points. So,if we can overtake the tally for last season in the first five games, then we are okay. GBFC were better than us last season, so them losing their first game will obviously be new to them. So, we will try and play our part and win this game.
Question: You had good possession in the midfield in your last game, is this something you were working on during pre-season?
Answer: Football has changed a lot, and for us as NAPSA Stars, we have been doing this since I joined. It’s nothing new to us, but I am happy that people are now noticing. It means our project is slowly shaping up.
Question: Is NAPSA Stars done with recruiting players and are you satisfied with your players you have now?
Answer: Every coach always wants to improve. You can never be satisfied because you always want to improve. But we want to sign the right players and not just bring anyone to fill in the spaces. So, if the right players are available, then you will see more signings.
Question: Nazim, welcome to Zambia. What really attracted you to NAPSA Stars and how did you find out about the club and the Zambian league?
Answer: I found out about NAPSA Stars through my father who introduced me to this league. He said it was one of the upcoming teams to watch out for. So I got in contact with the CEO Mr. Liwewe to do trials here, and the coach liked me. I have felt at home here because everyone here has been so welcoming, from the coaches to the players.
Question: How much of a blow is it to you that you do not have Leonard and Mwimanzi from this encounter?
Answer: It is a very big blow because they are very experienced players who had a great season last season. First games are not easy, and we need all the players available to get match fitness. Missing them in the second game means we have to make a lot of changes, which is not ideal. I would have loved to have them, and I have proposed to my boss that we allow our loaned players to play against their parent clubs. This would help them get more game time, which is the main goal of the loan. However, it is not up to us as coaches to make these decisions. So, it is a big blow, but we have other players who can step up and replace them.
To Nazim Amokachi: How are you looking at the competition and what are your goals coming to NAPSA Stars?
Answer: I love competition because it brings out the best in players. I believe that it will help me improve my game. I want to do well this season and score at least 10 goals in my first season.
Question- Any injury concerns going into this match?
Answer: Austine Banda, Philip Banda, and Aaron Kabwa are injured and out for this selection. Fredrick Mwimanzi and Leonard Mulenga are also out because we are playing against their parent club.