NKANA coach Ian Bakala has questioned his players’ mental strength, describing the 1-0 loss to Forest Rangers as embarrassing.
Wusakile is one of the quietest places in Zambia these days as a result of Nkana’s continued poor showings. Yesterday, the Wusakile silence was sponsored by Chitoshi Chinga whose goal was enough to bury Nkana.
Bakala who joined Nkana from Forest a few weeks ago came with a lot of promise but he has found the going tougher than he had anticipated.
Bakala, who at his unveiling said he was ready enough even to coach Manchester United has collected one point from a possible six as Nkana coach.
Yesterday, he said he was not under any illusion that the game against Forest will be easy but his players need to “wake up”
“I knew it was going to be very tough. I knew what was coming. I think even us, the players, have to wake up. It’s an embarrassing [thing] losing a game like this,” Bakala said.
Nkana still occupy the basement on the log with one point from a possible 15.
He said his team still has a chance to swim out of the relegation zone because they have the luxury of time.
“The games are still on, we are going to catch up, they [players] are learning a new philosophy they just have to adapt but I know it will take time but we have to start fighting for a win,” he said.
He claimed his players need to improve their mental strength.
“It is just the mental strength of the players that they have to be strong. Nkana is a big club. We have good players but their mentality has to change…A lot of players, their mentality is not that strong,” Bakala said.
Meanwhile, it’s Super Sunday in the Super League today with defending champions Power Dynamos hosting Zesco United while Green Eagle welcome MUZA in Choma.
(Mwebantu, Sunday, 24th September, 2023)