I expect the stakes to be high for some Super League coaches in the upcoming 2024/25 season. Time, often considered a rare commodity in football, will even be more precious this campaign.
This upcoming campaign is set to be one of the most exciting yet, especially with the addition of two new cup competitions alongside the existing ABSA Cup.
Two months ago, the Premier League (ZPL) unveiled what they will call the ZPL Challenge Cup and the Champion of Champions Cup, exciting stuff should the two competitions see the light of day.
With that in mind, clubs are not just hoping for success; they will be demanding it thus the pressure on coaches to deliver from the first whistle will be immense, it is walala washala.
Those that have been in the game for long will tell you that in football, patience is a virtue that is rarely afforded to coaches.
Without streatching your patience to the limit, let me give you a list of some of the coaches that I believe don’t have the luxury of time at their clubs.
Wedson Nyirenda – Zanaco
Appointed mid-way into the season last campaign, Wedson Nyirenda has to impress in his ‘first’ full season with the Bankers. For a club like Zanaco success means a trophy.
Their last major trophy was in 2017 when they lifted their first ABSA Cup, two years later they fell short of the same, losing in the final against Zesco United.
Nyirenda was brought in to stabilize the ship after the struggles of last season under Kelvin Kaindu and consultant Emmanuel Amunike. The club will be demanding more this season.
Failure to win any of the four silverware on display this season may negatively impact Nyirenda’s standing at Sunset Stadium.
George Lwandamina – Zeaco United
In the first season of his second coming, Lwandamina managed to deliver a continental slot for Zesco, impressive? Not quit considering the way they gave up the league title to Red Arrows.
Zesco once enjoyed a comfortable lead at the summit only to finish the campaign 12 points behind Red Arrows. In the ABSA Cup, they suffered a quarterfinal elimination at the hands of then Division One side Nchanga Rangers.
Few as they are, Zesco United fans will demand for better returns this season. Luckily, they have a coach who knows a thing or two about winning, but the heat will be on.
Mumamba Numba – Kabwe Warriors
May be I should declare interest here. This is a coach that I admire so much. But hey, it will take more than my admiration for him to succeed.
If there is a team that is hungry for anything that looks like a trophy, it is magnificent people’s team Kabwe Warriors. Their last silverware was in 2007 when they won the Zambian Challenge Cup, which will be reintroduced this year.
In Numba, Warriors have someone who can win them something. They came close last season but fell at the last hurdle when they lost 2-1 to Red Arrows in the ABSA Cup final.
The pressure will be on this season for the man they appointed in December, 2022.
Mwenya Chipepo – Forest Rangers.
Last season, Mwenya Chipepo could have gone from winning the league with a club the previous campaign to relegating another the following season. Luckily, it did not happen.
In November last year, Forest appointed Chipepo after he walked out on his beloved Power Dybamos whom he had guided to a league title.
His appointment, albeit coming during the season was seen as one that could spark Forest to a stronger finish. But as the season progressed, they looked like a relegation candidate.
Something got to change this season.
Ian Bakala – Nkana
What can I say about Ian Bakala’s position at Nkana? He might have signed a three-and-half-year contract in Wusakile but he will be aware that the club expects more in his first full season.
If in doubt, he should ask his predecessor.
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