Former Nkana striker Walter Bwalya has challenged Mwenya Chipepo to make Kalampa players understand what it means to play for the legendary club.
Last week, Chipepo was unveiled as Nkana coach, replacing Ian Bakala, whom the club had sent on gardening leave before reaching a mutual separation agreement.
Chipepo has signed a two-year contract with his immediate task being to turn the club’s fortunes having started the season in reverse.
Bwalya, who played for the club between 2015 and 2019 before going on to turn up for Egyptian sides El Gounah and Al Ahly, told SportsBoom.com in an interview that Chipepo has a lot on his hands.
“I can challenge the new coach when he is unveiled; he needs to teach the players what it takes to play for Nkana. He needs to tell those players that the Nkana badge is heavy. There is pressure at that club and the players need to soak up that pressure.
“You need to know the meaning of playing for Nkana. I feel some players don’t understand the responsibility that comes with playing for the biggest club in Zambia; it is up to the coach to make them understand,” Bwalya said.
‘Bakala not a bad coach’ —Bwalya
Meanwhile, the 2016 Zambia Super League player-of-the-year and golden boot winner believes that changing coaches is not the solution to the club’s constant struggles.
“Nkana is a big club, we can blame coaches, but we also need to know what internal issues are at the club. Are things okay? I have heard they will [have] replace[d] Bakala, and bring [brought] another coach, but that is not a solution. You cannot tell me that Bakala is bad; he proved himself in Zambian football,” he said.
Bwalya accused the club’s management of not investing in quality players that can compete against other top clubs like Zesco United, Red Arrows, and city rivals Power. He said it is inexcusable that Nkana is no longer attracting the best players.
“If you claim to be a big club, if you want to maintain your place as a top club, you should invest seriously in your squad. If you want Nkana to be back, you should invest. In Zambia, Nkana is like Manchester United, so they should not be struggling to get the best players.
“It is sad that you have a good player like Larry Bwalya, he comes as free agent from South Africa and Nkana fails to get such a player. Today in the Zambia national team, there is no Nkana player. Can you imagine that?” he wondered.
