Again…. It’s a Bridge too Far…. But it has been a good season!

After the highs of last season, when Nkana came within a whisker of playing CAF games and lost the spot to Zesco United who came second, Beatone’s side came crashing down to earth in 2017 season again. But found ground to almost be champions of the 2017 season.

Who could have believed this tale after that loss to Green Buffaloes at home? Basically this was due to the missing of Walter Bwalya their main man for the 2016 season.

And while there were a host of mitigating factors in their underwhelming campaign – in particular Walter’s Immigration issues and the subsequent changes of the technical bench and injuries for much of the campaign to key players like Ronald KAMPAMBA and Simon Bwalya, in general it was one to forget for the club which had high hopes at the start of the season .

By mid-season, Nkana had been eliminated from the CAF qualification as other teams proved they were better than the Kitwe giants., while they also found themselves out of the title race after losing key fixtures in the opening 12 matches to fall off good number of points from league leaders.

That poor run included damaging reverses to Green Buffaloes, Nchanga Rangers, Green Eagles and Lusaka Dynamos, with their lack of firepower up front absence clear for all to see.

Some impressive results followed, helped finally by Ronald’s return to fitness as hopes of an unlikely top-four finish and a first trophy under Bestone were raised. But failure to take part in the Barclays cup, a poor end to their first round league campaign – Shadreck Musonda ’s ongoing pursue by Buildcon and the exit of Zeddy Saileti after a mixed season, thrashing by Green Buffaloes all combined to leave a gloom over Nkana Stadium

But the turn of events in the second half of the season winning and grinding results to push themselves to the top. And I will still say that key result at Arthur Davies with the Walter Bwalya goal and a massive display of Ronald Kampamba was the turn around. Sate Sate was just coming from injury and his play in the second half of that game showed hunger and precision to push Nkana to the top.

That was a season changing game and result.

KEY PLAYERS

I don’t think anyone has stood out amazingly. Moses Mapulanga deserves a mention because he’s done fantastically well to rescue his Nkana career after moving from Nakambala, Nkana looked like they didn’t have a first choice goal keeper.

But I would have to go for Ronald Kampamba – he’s been the one shining light. He’s been in top form when he was fit to play. I still think his best goal was against Zesco United at home.

He’s an exciting player and I think he’ll get better next season too with the team in CAF Confederation or Champions League depending where the team finishes after weekend games.

I also take Diego Apanene as one of the best players of this season and one player that this team should fight to keep because its possible that they will be suitors after this defender.

I thought Aaron Katebe was going to have a fine season but I think he didn’t land running and he needs massive improvement in this Nkana team heading into the CAF games.

WHAT WENT WRONG

slow start to the season had a big effect to the team and it’s that start that will make the team fail to get the title. The home draw to Nakambala, the loss to Nchanga Rangers. The summary of three wins in eight first games is what Nkana will look back and realize that was the time they lost the league. They had a lot to catch up.

The immigration issues of Walter Bwalya cannot be ignored. That brought discomfort in the team and confusion and did not sit in well with results on the pitch. Another gray area in the season of Nkana.

WHAT WENT WELL

The adapting of Bestone in his return as head coach and grinding of results even in difficult times. The acceptance of the coach by the fans after they had chases him unceremoniously we be a big plus for everyone supporting Nkana.

The big results at places where it was said to be hard to pick points especially that 1-0 away at Zesco is a big result for Nkana this season coupled by another 1-0 result at Arthur Davies.

The team spirit which for a long time has been missing is another mile stone for Nkana and perhaps because it was visible to the fans, made the team have a positive connection with their fans.

Man of the Match awards by the fans is another big attribute Nkana is where they are today. You want to have a team that feels at home with its fans and this worked well.

Here the summary of the games of Nkana both at home and away and deduce were the team lost the opportunity to win the league:

HOME FORM

4 draws, 11 wins and 3 wins describes the Nkana season at home in the 2017 season with the biggest loss handed to them by Green Buffaloes while their biggest victory will definitely be the one they beat Zanaco.

The Rest

Nkana 1 – 1 Nakambala Leopards
Nkana 2 – 2 ZESCO United
Nkana 1 – 0 City of Lusaka
Nkana 3 – 1 Lumwana Radiants
Nkana 2 – 2 Kabwe Warriors
Nkana 1 – 2 Power Dynamos
Nkana 1 – 0 Buildcon
Nkana 1 – 0 Red Arrows
Nkana 2 – 1 Mufulira Wanderers
Nkana 1 – 1 Nchanga Rangers
Nkana 1 – 0 NAPSA Stars
Nkana 1 – 3 Green Buffaloes
Nkana 4 – 0 Zanaco
Nkana 4 – 0 Real Nakonde
Nkana 0 – 1 Lusaka Dynamos
Nkana 2 – 0 Nkwazi
Nkana 3 – 1 Forest Rangers
Nkana 1 – 0 Green Eagles

Last Game

Nkana Vs Konkola Blades

It could be the biggest game for Nkana this season and who knows what could happen elsewhere. Should Nkana win this game with whatever margin and Zesco United lose to Mufulira Wanderers with Zanaco and Green Buffaloes losing respectively to Forest Rangers and Green Eagles, then Nkana will be champions.

That sounds complicated but it is something that is possible in the game of football and Nkana faithfulls will continue hoping.
Will have to wait and see.

AWAY FORM

The best part of the 2017 season was the away form of Nkana winning 9 games on the road, drawing four and only losing six games with the most painful loss to Green Buffaloes when they were almost getting a point in that encounter. Those that followed the team so closely will also remember the Green Eagles result as one of the most painful one with an own goal from Diego who is one of the best players of this season.

The rest away games
Nchanga Rangers 1 – 0 Nkana
NAPSA Stars 0 – 2 Nkana
Green Buffaloes 3 – 2 Nkana
Zanaco 0 – 0 Nkana
Real Nakonde 1 – 3 Nkana
Lusaka Dynamos 2 – 1 Nkana
Nkwazi 2 – 1 Nkana
Forest Rangers 0 – 1 Nkana
Green Eagles 2 – 0 Nkana
Konkola Blades 0 – 1 Nkana
Nakambala Leopards 1 – 0 Nkana
ZESCO United 0 – 1 Nkana
City of Lusaka 0 – 1 Nkana
Lumwana Radiants 0 – 0 Nkana
Kabwe Warriors 0 – 0 Nkana
Power Dynamos 0 – 1 Nkana
Buildcon 0 – 0 Nkana
Red Arrows 1 – 2 Nkana
Mufulira Wanderers 1 – 2 Nkana

Bwezani talked to one of the players who has been with Nkana and his summary of the team is as below:

“The season, as a whole, has been stop-start. We made a very poor beginning, had a fantastic middle – similar to the run we had last season only better defensively – and then a very good finish. So, all-in-all, I would say it’s been an average season. After what we had last season it will be disappointing to fail to win the title.”

WHAT THE TEAM NEEDS

Firstly, it will be to keep most of the players because that will be the background of the team. We have not seen much of Simon Bwalya due to his injuries but I think he still brings experience and mature play in that midfield.

AM not sure how long Joseph Musonda will play but I think it’s time to get a replacement as it looks like he won’t be as good as he had been over the years.

The team will as well need some striking powers to help Ronald Kampamba, Walter Bwalya and Shadreck Musonda in front.

For now, Nkana is a good team with one team and when there are injuries to the main call, then there is struggle and that is one area that Bestone will have to work on if he is to be able to have an impact in the CAF competitions next season.

Congratulations Nkana for bringing back CAF games at Nkana Stadium!