The Pensioners host F.C MUZA in their match week-six of the MTN Super League.
NAPSA Stars FC Head Coach Perry Mutapa has previewed this encounter during a Pre-match press briefing held via zoom this morning.
The Pensioners are scheduled to host MUZA at Heroes Stadium, at 15hours tomorrow.
The Coach talked to the media and this is how the pre-match was;
Your expectations in tomorrow’s match as you host F.C MUZA.
It will be a tough match, MUZA have done well. We were together in the National Division One League, they’ve only lost one game and they beat Nchanga in their last game, so they will come at us with a lot of confidence. We are coming from a loss, yes, but we are at home and we need the three points.
Looking at your statistics and the points that you have, do you think you are just being too harsh and critical on yourselves because you are just four points away from the top four. Are you being too critical on yourselves or you think you can do better?
I think it is both. Obviously we can say it’s early days, but still the points matter especially considering the way we are playing. I feel for the games we have drawn, we could have taken the maximum points and the games we lost, we could have at least gotten a point for the chances we have been creating. So we are being critical yes, because we want to do well and the games are showing that we can do better.
We have been on an international break, has this given you time to reflect on the past result?
The approach has always been great for me. We are only failing to score and that has been the biggest problem for us. Our defense creates chances and we are ok. All we need is converting those chances.
Looking at the composition of the table, the margins are not that bad and after the international break, the next round of matches offers a chance for clubs to change the results, do you think this will be a consolation for you and do you think you will have a chance to play for the position you are targeting this season?
In some way, the international break gives the losing teams the time to settle and plan ahead, but at times, it breaks the momentum. For us, it has given us ample time to work on the areas we are supposed to and we will be able to go tomorrow and get a win.
Looking at tomorrow’s opponent, MUZA they can be quite compact and frustrating especially in terms of the way they line-up, they managed to frustrate Power Dynamos and Nchanga Rangers, so what approach are you taking as NAPSA Stars to ensure that your players are not caught napping and to ensure they maintain the maximum levels of concentration?
This is the biggest worry for us and you’re 100% on point. It’s a worry when you’re playing a team which is very compact. We know they have a plan and they will try to frustrate us, and we are at home so it will be worse especially when we don’t score in the first half. But as a technical bench, we always tell our players to keep it cool because football is played in 90 plus minutes.
Coach you have been away from the touch line in the last games and you’re back tomorrow, what are you expecting from the team?
I am not yet back on the touch line and I am only back in the game after this one. But we are planning on getting a win, it will be a tough game, but I have other coaches so all is ok.
Looking at the first five games of the season for NAPSA Stars, you have faced tough teams, do you think this is your trickiest fixture especially that you faced each other in the lower division?
I think every game is important for us. Yes we have faced big teams and in terms of results. I think we have done well, but we are now in the premier league and all that matters are points. So it means we have a lot to do in this match as NAPSA Stars. But it won’t be easy for them too because we are hosting them.