ZESCO United head coach Emmanuel Siwale has attributed his side’s 2–1 defeat to Nkana FC in a Week 15 MTN Super League clash at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe to a lack of mental concentration, describing the performance as one of the club’s poorest this season.
The defeat leaves ZESCO United eighth on the table with 19 points, while Nkana’s victory lifted them to 13 points, moving the Kitwe giants one point clear of the relegation zone.
Reflecting on the result, Siwale did not hide his disappointment.
“This is a very bad loss and not because we lost but the way we performed,” Siwale said. “As a team we did not do well.”
Pressed on where his side fell short, the ZESCO coach remained blunt. “For this one as a team we did not do well,” he said, adding that issues would be addressed during post-match analysis.
Siwale dismissed suggestions that weather conditions played a role in the defeat.
“No, that is one of the five elements so to speak, that can maybe make the match not to go your way. But we cannot change that. So if it is raining, we just have to play in the rain.
“I’m sure it could be; maybe mentally they were not prepared… This is one of the worst games that we played.
“The games are slowly reducing. So we have to be concerned or we have to up our game so that we start winning. There’s no excuse.”
Meanwhile, Nkana head coach Mwenya Chipepo praised his players’ fighting spirit after coming from behind to secure the win. ZESCO had taken an early lead in the 11th minute through Kelvin Kampamba, before Idriss Mbombo equalised in first-half stoppage time and Jacob Ngulube struck the winner in the 83rd minute.
“I’m very happy. Nkana is not supposed to be where [we are] at that position, but I was very happy with the performance of the guys.”
“Coming from behind it’s not easy against a team like ZESCO United. At least they showed the character today.
“We don’t have to relax. We just have to make sure that at least we finish on a respectable position.”
Explaining his animated celebration at full-time, Chipepo stated, “I was very excited. We’ve been losing, and the supporters keep supporting us.”
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