When the final whistle blew last season, Zanaco weren’t celebrating another title to add to their seven they were celebrating survival. It had come down to the wire, and for a club with championship pedigree, that was nothing short of a shame.
Now, with the demons of last season still lingering, the club has moved swiftly to attempt and correct the mistakes of the past. Eight new signings have been unveiled ahead of the 2025/26 campaign—a clear signal that mediocrity will not be tolerated again.
Coach Mumamba Numba is hoping that the new lads will not just refresh the Sunset Stadium club and will be the cornerstones of the rebuild that has started.
Time for a Rebuild
The club released a statement on Tuesday. The business that has been done so far touches every area of the pitch: a goalkeeper, two full-backs, a central defender, three midfielders, and a forward.
Among the arrivals is Chipolopolo keeper Francis Mwansa, who will be hoping to have more game time having spent most of his time on the best at Green Buffaloes. He has signed a three-year deal.
Mwansa’s arrival speaks to one of last season’s most glaring issues—defensive instability. Zanaco conceded 41 goals against the 34 that they scored. They were the third-worst defence in the league, only better than relegated Indeni and Atletico Lusaka.
In front of Mwansa, another national team player, centre-back Tinkler Sinkala, has arrived from Kabwe Warriors. He’s joined by two left-backs, John Chishimba (Zesco United) and Garvin Mukandamweene (Trident FC).
Ian Sindayi, snapped up from Forest Rangers, is tipped to be among the up-and-coming box-to-box midfielders with an energy and ability to transition play quickly. Idana Chimwemwe, a Malawian international, has also arrived from Silver Strikers. Add to that Chipo Manda, on loan from Kafue Celtic.
Upfront, the club has brought in Eliya Mandanji, another Celtic loanee. With just 34 goals scored in as many games, Zanaco were blunt in attack; Mandanji arrives as a much-needed source of goals.
Zanaco begins their campaign against FC MUZA in Mazambuka.
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