ZISD FC’s impressive start to life in the Eden University Women’s Super League 2024-25 campaign has taken a sharp turn, with the team now enduring a six-match winless run.
Head coach Enala Simbeya has admitted that title hopes are over but remains confident in avoiding relegation after a crushing 6-0 defeat to defending champions Green Buffaloes Women’s Football Club on Thursday at Lusaka’s Independence stadium.
“I wouldn’t hold them now because this league is very competitive,” Simbeya said. “If you lose one game, you have to know you are questionable, and now I have lost four in a row. I don’t have wins in the last six games. So already the statistics are not showing that we can be competitors of the top four, but I have a chance of surviving the team in the league.”
ZISD FC had been unbeaten before November but have since lost four of their last five league matches. The slump has seen them drop from a top-four position in October to 10th place with 19 points, just six points above the relegation zone.
“We still have to survive”- Simbeya.
Simbeya revealed that the team’s struggles began after her return from national duty, citing fitness issues among her players.
“It has been really tough for us since November,” she explained. “The time that I came back, the tempo of fitness had really gone down. We have been working to improve fitness and maintain the technical plan, but it hasn’t been easy because it has been back-to-back games.”
ZISD FC’s next challenge is against third-placed Indeni Roses on Sunday at Independence Stadium, where Simbeya hopes her side can rediscover their winning form. Despite the recent setbacks.
“We have lost, and we have to forget. This is done and dusted—we can’t think about this. We still have to survive. It’s not easy with back-to-back games, but if our friends are winning, we have to win too.”
