Despite his team remaining winless after eight MTN Super League games this season, FC Leopards head coach Justin Chinama has vowed that they will not be relegated, insisting his side is targeting a top-eight finish following their promotion from the ZPL National League.

On Sunday, Leopards suffered their third defeat of the campaign, losing 3-1 to Red Arrows, a result that left them in the relegation zone with just five points from five draws.

“We’ve lost to a better side. Though they were better in the first half, in the second half we were organized and looked better than them. Only that we missed a lot of our scoring chances,” Chinama said.

“We continue working on the mistakes that we’re making. Today, I think all three goals were out of schoolboy mistakes. We should not have allowed those goals, but we made a lot of schoolboy mistakes. But we’ll talk to them so that mentally, they remain strong.”

Red Arrows took the lead through Alassane Diara in the 20th minute, before Albert Kangwanda doubled the advantage in the 43rd minute — his fourth goal in four consecutive matches, making him the first player to achieve that feat this season.

After the halftime break, Leopards pulled one back in the 62nd minute through Gibson Banda, but substitute Angel Libamba sealed the victory for the Airmen with a third goal in the 88th minute.

Despite their winless run, Chinama remains optimistic about his team’s progress.

“We are not very far from starting to win. I’m sure very soon we will record a win, and we should be rising on the table,” he said.

When asked if he believes his team will avoid relegation, Chinama responded: “Definitely. And 100% right. We are still game. We hope to finish in the top-eight bracket. That I can assure you. Come and see me after this season.”