Kansanshi Dynamos head coach Dennis Makinka has challenged his players to translate their impressive home performances into positive away results when they travel to Kitwe to face Nkana FC in a Week Seven Group A encounter on Wednesday.
The Mabanga outfit takes on the Kitwe giants at Nkana Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00, knowing that a positive result could provide a much-needed boost to their transitional season campaign.
Kansanshi head into the encounter on the back of a disappointing 2-2 home draw against NAPSA Stars, a result Makinka admits fell short of their expectations, although he was encouraged by his side’s attacking display.
The North-Western Province outfit have collected five points from their opening five matches, recording one win, two draws and two defeats to sit sixth in the Group A standings.
Their recent performances, including a 3-0 defeat to Zanaco and the draw against NAPSA, have exposed defensive shortcomings that Makinka is keen to address ahead of Wednesday’s assignment.
The coach believes his side’s attacking potential provides a platform to build on but insists they must become more disciplined at the back.
“We are coming from a draw at home. It was not the result we wanted or something we planned, but of course we took the positives from that game. We managed to score at least two goals. Our biggest problem is defending; it let us down. We are just working on stopping our opponents from getting easy goals because I feel we are giving away too many,” he said.
Makinka has also urged his players to maintain the same intensity and determination on the road as they demonstrate when playing in front of their home supporters.
“We have struggled to pick results away from home, but this is what we have been instilling in the boys. We have been telling them that the same energy we give at home should be replicated even when we are away. We will try to do what we have been doing at home, with no difference,” he added.
With the team having endured a congested run of fixtures, the technical bench is also considering squad rotation to manage player fatigue, with some members of the squad expected to receive increased playing time.
However, Kansanshi will be without Gregory Sanjase, Mathews Banda and Mike Zozi, who are all sidelined through injury.
Despite the absentees, Makinka remains confident that his squad has enough depth to cope with the setbacks.
Turning his attention to the hosts, the Kansanshi tactician acknowledged Nkana’s attacking threat, particularly their ability to score goals and the pace they possess in the final third.
Nkana occupy fourth position in Group A with 10 points from five matches and will be looking to return to winning ways following a goalless draw against defending champions Power Dynamos in the Kitwe derby.
The draw followed a 2-0 home defeat to Konkola Blades, but Nkana will take confidence from previous home victories over Makeni Stars and Nchanga Rangers.
Makinka says his technical bench has closely analysed Nkana’s performances and is aware of the challenge posed by their forward line.
“We know Nkana’s strength is their ability to score goals. We have looked at their performances, and they are very good going forward. Their scoring rate is exceptional. They will be playing at home, so we need to be cautious and manage their front line, which is very quick. We have prepared and seen how they play, so we will be ready,” he said.
Despite Kansanshi’s difficult history at Nkana Stadium, Makinka insists his players must approach Wednesday’s encounter with belief and determination rather than allow previous results to weigh on them.
“We will treat this game with the seriousness it deserves. We will give it our best shot, remain composed and try to stop them from getting early goals. We want to change the narrative that we go to Nkana to donate points. This is a different fixture, and we will fight for the game,” he said.
The historical record between the two sides favours Nkana, who have claimed three victories in their last 10 meetings, compared to Kansanshi’s one, while six encounters have ended in draws.
Makinka will now hope his side can defy that record and deliver an improved away performance as they seek to climb the Group A standings.
