Exclusive: First Round Performance Impresses Nkana Coach Mwenya Chipepo

Nkana coach Mwenya Chipepo has described the first round of the season as successful with the team having managed to move from the relegation zone to third on the log.

In October, Chipepo was announced as Nkana coach, taking over from Ian Bakala who had been dismissed following a run of bad results.

Chipepo, a league winner with Power Dynamos, found the team in the relegation zone with a record of one win, four stalemates and three losses.

He had an immediate impact, masterminding seven wins, a draw and only one loss in his first nine matches. This run saw his team accumulate 22 points, moving them into third with 29 points. They are only two points behind leaders Zesco United.

NOT YET TITLE CONTENDERS

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.co.za, Chipepo revealed that his team cannot be considered as title contenders yet despite sitting two points behind the leaders.

“Far from it,” he said when quizzed about his team’s chances in the title race, “our focus at the moment is to consolidate our position in the league, when I came we were in the relegation zone so you cannot jump from fighting relegation to challenging for the title.”

He said his players are aware of the pressure from the fans but maintained that it is important to manage expectations. “For now, it is important to manage expectations, we have a tough run of games coming up in the second round so we need to show the consistency that we have shown in the last nine weeks,” he said.

He said for now, Nkana are outsiders but will do everything possible to ensure they consolidate their position.

FIRST ROUND WAS A SUCCESS

Chipepo said the first stanza of the season was a success as the team managed to meet all its targets. “When I came in, we were two points away from safety, we set out a target to first move away from the relegation zone as well as qualify to the ABSA Cup, we have achieved both so it was a success if you ask me,” he said.

Nkana is among the seven teams that have qualified to this season’s ABSA Cup after finishing the first round of the campaign in the top seven.

The other teams are Zesco United, Kabwe Warriors, Power Dynamos, Red Arrows, Green Buffaloes and Green Eagles. The ABSA Cup is the only elite cup competition on the Zambian domestic calendar.

JANUARY TARGETS

Chipepo is not shy to say his team needs to be boosted when the transfer window opens in the next few days. The gaffer said his team needs strengthening in major departments.

“I am proud of the players that I have, they have done a good job thus far, but we need to strengthen the team, the season is still on so I would welcome one or two inclusions.

“We will have to sit with the club’s executives and see if we can bring in some players in midfield and the striking department, but overall I am proud of the players I have,” he said.

Quizzed to mention some of his transfer targets, Chiepepo opted to remain tight-lipped. “You will see them if we get them…I cannot say anything for now but I am very sure that we will be active in the market and hope that it will be a success.

"You don’t sign players for the sake of signing, but they have to bring value, they have to raise the standard here and challenge those that they find,” he concluded.