Police sponsored, Nkwazi FC will open the MTN-FAZ transitional league with a home fixture against Stylish Roan United at Edwin Imboela stadium on Saturday.

Nkwazi spent last season battling relegation, while Roan United secured promotion from the National Division.

High Flying Nkwazi, head coach Masautso Tembo has described Roan United as a traditional club with a strong footballing history.

“Playing a team that is coming from Eden University [ZPL National Division] is always difficult. Roan United is a traditional team, one of the biggest teams in the country,” Tembo said.

Tembo said the technical bench has used the off-season to prepare for the season and believes the team will perform if the players execute the work done during training.

“We go into the game with what we have been planning throughout the off-season and the plan we have made for them” he said.

The Nkwazi coach said the technical bench has addressed identified weaknesses before the start of the campaign.

“Pre-season, when you lose, sometimes it’s a bonus to us. Now you look seriously into the areas where we have been making mistakes,” Tembo said.

He expressed confidence in the squad assembled for the new season.

“I think the team we have come up with is very good. Hopefully, the new boys’ and the older players’ combination is looking good,” he said.

Tembo believes starting at home makes collecting maximum points even more important.

“It’s always an advantage to play at home. Since the league is short, you play at home; it’s very important to pick up maximum points,” he said.

READ ALSO : Himonde Backs Chanda Partnership to Improve With Time.