Tenant Chilumba secured his first win as head coach of Mufulira Wanderers with a 2-0 victory over Nchanga Rangers on Saturday, ending a three-game losing streak.
Saturday’s game against fellow strugglers Nchanga Rangers was crucial for Maite, nine times Super League holders.
“It’s a good bonus for the team,” Chilumba shared after the match. “We wanted this win; they deserve to win this game. They have been doing well during training.”
Chilumba believes the win will inspire his players to push harder. He remains determined to keep improving.
“We will go back to the drawing board. There are still lapses where we can work on,” he said, looking ahead to their next match. “There is a crucial game ahead of us against Atletico. It won’t be an easy game.”
The victory lifted Mufulira Wanderers to 14th position in the league, accumulating 11 points from 11 games.
With six matches left in the first round, Chilumba has set a clear target: to finish in the top six, which would qualify the team for the ABSA Cup.
They are currently six points away from this goal, but he believes the team’s current momentum could propel them higher up the table.
“We Have A Good Squad” – Chilumba.
“The win today will boost the morale of the team,” Chilumba stated. “We want to finish on a good note, especially finish in the top six.”
While some may expect him to reinforce the squad during the upcoming transfer window, Chilumba downplayed the possibility of significant new signings.
He expressed confidence in his current squad and hinted at giving all players a chance to prove themselves.
“We will work on the available players. I don’t think [we need more than] maybe one or two,” he explained. “It’s a squad we want to give everyone a chance. I think if you can see the way they played today, there is a lot of competition; everyone is focused.”