By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Ex-Nkana defender Mordon Malitioli says it is great news to see the record 13-time Zambian champions leave the relegation zone for the first time this season but the hard work to survive has just begun.
Last Saturday, Nkana beat bottom-of-the-log Trident 2-1 away in Solwezi to move out of the bottom four as they fight to avoid relegation with thirteen games left to play.
Nkana has been demoted twice but has stayed up in the FAZ Super League since returning in 2010.
Malitoli who won seven league titles with Nkana said in an interview in Kitwe that there is a ray of hope after picking up 7 points from three successive games for the first time this season.
Nkana has lost just one of their last four games since returning from the month-long 2023 AFCON break that includes three wins and a draw.
“From the MUZA game that we won 1-0 away, and then drawing 1-1 against Forest Rangers and then last week’s 2-1 away win over Trident, things look promising,” Malitoli said.
“Even though some of the new players still need more match fitness they are playing much better because if you look back there was no consistency, we would win one then go on long winless spells.”
Nkana currently sits just above the bottom four at number 14 on 26 points from 23 matches played and has one point more than Kansanshi Dynamos and Mutondo Stars who occupy the top part of the relegation zone.
Just above Nkana is Napsa Stars on 26 points.
“We are not out of danger but we need to work very hard so that even when we lose, our fans can see that fighting character in the players with the hunger to fight for survival,” Maliloti said.
“But it is good we are out of the relegation zone but we must work very hard.
“This is not where Nkana belongs and for us who have played and won things at Nkana that is not our territory but up in the top four.”
Nkana seek to extend a rare four-match unbeaten run when they host old rivals Mighty Mufulira Wanderers this Saturday in Kitwe who beat them 2-1 away at Shinde Stadium last October.
Mighty is 9th on 30 points and currently on a four-match unbeaten run.
“On the Mighty game, they are coming to our home ground. Yes, they beat us so why shouldn’t we also win at home?” the Nkana legendary defender said.
