Following an impressive 2–0 victory over Power Dynamos in the Kitwe derby on Saturday at the Levy Mwanawansa, Nkana FC head coach Ian Bakala has shifted his team’s focus to their next game against ZESCO United this Saturday.

Kalampa won big in the derby thanks to Austin Banda and Lemisa Mousa, propelling them to ninth place in the standings with 37 points.

They are now unbeaten in their last four matches, having won two and drawn two.

However, the Nkana gaffer has warned his players not to be complacent after winning against Power Dynamos, indicating his intentions to beat sluggish ZESCO United in the upcoming match in Kitwe.

“We prepare every week; looking at where we are, we are not safe. I give credit to the players. We just have to forget about the victory and concentrate on ZESCO United,” said Bakala, who also believes a win over the Ndola side will heighten their survival hopes as they will hit the 40-point mark.

He continued: “Our concentration is on the next game against ZESCO; all games are crucial for us; each team wants to beat Nkana. We are preparing to beat ZESCO; we don’t have to draw. Our preparations will have to be high ahead of the ZESCO game.” 

Surviving relegation is Nkana’s main objective- Bakala

The former Forest Rangers and 2023 ABSA Cup-winning coach doesn’t want to be ahead of himself, noting that there’s still more to play for this season before thinking about next season. 

“Our objective is to survive first, then we have to plan after surviving. At the moment, we can’t talk about next season while we are still fighting relegation,” Bakala said. 

ZESCO United has been on the low end in terms of results, as they have failed to record a win in their last four matches.

The Ndola-based team is currently sitting second in the standings with 51 points, ten behind leaders Red Arrows.

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