Nkana Football Club suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to youthful Atletico Lusaka Football Club in a Week 6 Zambian Super League fixture, played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Sunday.
The defeat left Nkana’s head coach, Ian Bakala, reflecting on his team’s underestimation of their opponents.
In a post-match interview, Bakala acknowledged the disappointing performance, stating, “Very painful loss. We didn’t expect this. We have learnt something.”
Bakala attributed the loss to his team’s attitude, saying, “From the beginning, we didn’t play our game. I think there was underration. I think we have learnt something going into the next game.”
Nkana came into the match following a 0-0 draw against Nkwazi Football Club. Bakala believes that the team’s underestimation of Atletico Lusaka significantly contributed to their failure to secure any points from the match, despite equalizing early in the second half.
“When you underrate a team, it’s very difficult to come up. First half, I think we didn’t manage well. Starting second half, we started well, we even had a goal, but again our guys relaxed a bit. It’s so painful, but I think we have learnt a lot here that we are going to work on as we go to Choma,” Bakala explained.
Atletico Lusaka opened the scoring in the 35th minute through a Francis Mutalange penalty, giving them a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Nkana quickly responded in the 47th minute, with Charles Zulu pulling the visitors level. However, they struggled to build on their momentum, and Moses Simpasa scored the winner for Atletico Lusaka five minutes from full-time.
Despite concerns over Nkana’s scoring form, Bakala was not overly worried about the lack of goals from his side.
Bakala shifts focus to Green Eagles.
“I think it’s not only us. A lot of teams, I think, are struggling. We just need to continue working on strikers. Once they start scoring, they will be scoring, but I think we are struggling. I think strikers, the momentum of scoring hasn’t started yet,” he said.
Nkana has only scored three goals in six league matches this season, conceding four, and they are teetering on the edge of the relegation zone, a position they have been familiar with over the past two seasons.
Nevertheless, Bakala is confident that his team will resolve their goal-scoring woes.
“We’ll fix it coming to the game against Green Eagles,” Bakala assured.
Nkana will be away to Green Eagles on Saturday as they continue their search for a second win of the season.
Full-time scores.
Mutondo Stars 3-1 Red Arrows
Zesco United 2-0 Mufulira Wanderers
NAPSA Stars 3-0 Nchanga Rangers
Atletico Lusaka 2-1 Nkana
FC MUZA 2-2 Zanaco
