Bradley Mweene, a goalkeeper for Nkwazi FC says the High Flying Nkwazi will deliver an improved performance in the upcoming MTN Super League transitional season after enduring a difficult campaign last term.
Nkwazi spent much of last season battling for survival, including a lengthy run of about 10 matches without a victory.
With the transitional league set to feature only 18 matches, Mweene believes there is little room for error and complacency.
He said the shorter campaign means teams must start strongly because a poor run could have serious consequences.
“It’s a short league, and obviously we’ll only be playing 18 games. Last season we went about 10 games without a win, and if that repeats itself this season, God forbid, we are gone.”
Mweene said the squad understands the importance of the campaign and must remain focused from the opening match.
“We have to pull up our socks, and definitely everyone knows what’s at stake in this Transition League. Everyone knows what’s at stake. No one has to sleep here. We all have to wake up and fight.”
He particularly emphasized discipline, noting that Nkwazi’s identity as a service team makes discipline an important component of the players’ conduct both on and off the pitch.
“For the fact that Nkwazi is a service team, I think discipline has to be the key. The senior players are very accommodative, and they have made sure that the young guys are in good spirits all the time.”
“They will see a better Nkwazi” – Mweene.
Mweene believes the younger players can learn from experienced campaigners in the squad and challenges them to match the work ethic of their senior teammates.
He said the team’s objective is not merely to avoid relegation but to establish Nkwazi among the stronger sides in the transitional campaign.
“We are looking at doing better than that so that we don’t actually start looking at mathematics, saying if this one wins, this one doesn’t. This time around, we just have to make sure that we put Nkwazi where it belongs.”
With Nkwazi facing several military derbies during the campaign, Mweene acknowledged that the season will not be easy but said the squad is ready for the challenge.
He also called on supporters to rally behind the team, promising that they will see a different side compared to last season.
“The Nkwazi they saw last season isn’t the Nkwazi that they will see this Transition League. They will see a better Nkwazi, a disciplined Nkwazi, and the Nkwazi that wants to fight for the badge.”
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