Emmanuel Siwale is not in a panic after Zesco United’s 1-0 home loss to Nkwazi FC on Saturday, despite only earning one point out of a possible fifteen.
The loss leaves Siwale’s men sitting 13th on the MTN Super League table with 11 points.
A disappointed Siwale said the defeat was another bitter blow, lamenting his team’s continued failure to convert chances.
Asked for his thoughts on the performance, Siwale said:
“The utmost result is what matters. It’s a very bad day for us as a team, losing again. If the ball can’t go in the net then it’s difficult to win a game. So I don’t know, maybe this is just a phase that we are going through. Hopefully this can be the last game that we are losing.”
On whether the team is now in crisis, he responded:
“It’s just a matter of even the players and all of us realizing the importance of us not being where we are and going to a position where we are normally found. So it’s just a matter of everyone realizing… because this is not a good trend.”
Siwale also addressed his players’ body language late in the match, with some appearing subdued and short on urgency.
“Maybe they were under pressure because we wanted the win towards the end because sometimes if you start and press a panic button, you lose focus. So instead of just going the way we were supposed to have been going, people wanted to score maybe quickly hence making mistakes and which could have even resulted in another maybe conceding a goal, it’s a bad day which it’s not good.”
For Siwale, Zesco’s challenges remain more psychological than tactical.
“No, it’s about mental health, and we just. I’m sure everyone knows the players and us, we just have to push the team because there are times when like I’ve said you go through such. But if we can just post a win, everything will change. And I’m seeing the way they’re working in training; they’re doing fine. But like I’ve said, if you can’t put the ball in the net, then you can’t win.”
He reiterated their biggest weakness failing to convert chances.
“We are creating all the chances. How many chances do we have? But why is it that we are not putting the ball in the net? So that’s our problem.”
League leaders, Red Arrows is Zesco’s next opponent, which Siwale believes could spark a turnaround.
“We are playing Arrows. That’s another good opponent because they are up there and I know sometimes you don’t even need to motivate players. The game itself motivates them. I’m sure that game can be a turning point.”
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