NAPSA Stars host Nchanga Rangers FC at Heroes Stadium tomorrow for a week-31 match of the MTTN Super League.
The Head Coach, Perry Mutapa has provided his pre-match quotes ahead of this match scheduled for 15hours, during a pre-match Press conference held via zoom with the media.
Coach you face another relegation threatened team, what are your expectations ahead of this match?
We are at home, and we need to get the maximum points, but playing a team fighting relegation is not easy, so it’s going to be a tough match, but we are prepared.
NAPSA Stars is a team that has been in the relegation before and they know the challenges that come with fighting relegation, what are your players talking about or expecting the type of game Nchanga will bring tomorrow?
Of course, we are expecting Nchanga to bring their A game, they beat Eagles in Choma and are coming from drawing against log leaders Power Dynamos FC, so even us as NAPSA Stars, we are expecting them to bring a tough match, but we are coming from recording a draw so we want to pick up maximum points, so it won’t be easy, more especially at our slaughter house, Heroes Stadium one of the best pitches in Zambia which makes our games very entertaining and exciting.
You have been unbeaten in six matches; you are clearly ending the league strong; would you say you regret picking up your form late in the league at a point where you cannot really fight for the title?
It’s normal to talk about the bad runs we had, but sometimes it’s also important to look at where we are coming from, which is Division One. This is a team that got demoted after playing continental football. So, after coming back our priority was first to stabilize and we are happy we have beaten the relegation mark and with the few games, we have no regrets, but we have learnt from this and going forward, football being a project, these are the things we should work on and be a better team.
Coach, you are finishing the season on a good note, would you say this is a sign of your team doing great next season?
I believe football is a project and my coming to NAPSA Stars was to make sure to start from scratch, which is Division One, and coming to the Super League, this is a big achievement but we will not look at it in that angle because even as a person, you have to make sure you improve every day and we look forward to greater improvement in the coming season.
Would you be happy to see Power Dynamos win the league?
They have done well to be where they are because it just doesn’t come on silver platter, if they win, I will be happy for them.
Any team you want to play continental if it’s not NAPSA Stars?
Since we are now also in contention, we would like to win it. With four games to go and already achieved our main target, who would not want to dream? So, we are dreaming of playing Continental football but we will not be under pressure.
Any injury concerns in your team as you head into this match?
Adams Zikiru is not having full sessions so he is a doubt for this match.