Red Arrows assistant coach Kalililo Kakonje has dismissed fatigue as an excuse for the team’s recent struggles, insisting that the Airmen had a good pre-season programme ahead of the campaign.

Arrows suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Nkwazi at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Wednesday afternoon in a Week Seven MTN Super League Stream B encounter.

The result extended a difficult run for the Airmen, who have managed just one win and two draws in their opening four league matches, alongside the defeat.

Speaking after the match, Kakonje said Arrows started strongly and dominated the opening 30 minutes but struggled to respond after Nkwazi adjusted their approach.

“I think we started the game well. We dominated the first 30 minutes or so of the first half. I think Nkwazi changed their strategy midway through the game, and I think that got us on our bad side,” he said.

Kakonje felt his team created opportunities but failed to convert them, while Nkwazi capitalised on one of their chances to secure the victory.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t convert ours. They converted one of theirs, and that was the difference,” he said.

With Arrows balancing domestic fixtures and their CAF Confederation Cup campaign, Kakonje was asked whether the demanding schedule was beginning to take a toll on the players.

However, he ruled out fatigue, pointing to the team’s preparations ahead of the season.

“I think we had a very good pre-season, so we would not attribute that to fatigue,” he said.

Instead, Kakonje described the team’s current difficulties as a phase in football when performances and results do not always align, despite the work being put in during training.

Red Arrows finishing problems

He identified finishing as an area requiring attention, saying the technical bench was working with the players to improve their conversion rate in front of goal.

“We continue working hard in training, especially in front of goal, where we are not converting so much. So we are really working hard at that,” he said.

Wednesday’s defeat also ended Arrows’ unbeaten home record, which had stretched back to 2024, with Kakonje admitting that the result was disappointing but dismissing suggestions that it signalled a wider problem at Nkoloma Stadium.

“I think every team loses, home or away. It’s just unfortunate that we had to break our record at home today. Very disappointing, I must say,” he said.

He maintained that Arrows had been a solid side at home and were looking forward to returning to their previous form.

Kakonje also rejected suggestions that qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup group stage had caused the players to lose focus on their domestic campaign.

“Every team will want to beat Red Arrows in the league, and this is exactly what is happening,” he said. “We are working hard at getting back to our winning ways.”