By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Speculation is that Mwenya Chipepo is a potential candidate for the Nkana job after the dismissal of Ian Bakala following a one-year stay as coach of the ailing Kitwe giants.
Bakala’s departure was confirmed late on Monday by Nkana who placed him on what was stated as administrative leave.
Social media is awash with unconfirmed reports that a deal is done with Chipepo to return to Kitwe a year after quitting Nkana’s archrivals Power Dynamos to take on the Forest Rangers job.
Chipepo’s club Forest are currently one of two teams still unbeaten this season together with second positioned Kabwe Warriors and are sitting at number 5 with 11 points, five points behind leaders Zesco United.
Nkana have been tight-lipped on Tuesday over speculation about Chipepo’s link to the job in Wusakile.
Meanwhile, Bakala was relieved of his duties together with his assistants on Monday following a poor start to campaign with the ailing record 13-time Zambian league champions.
“Nkana Football Club wishes to announce that Head Coach Ian Bakala, along with assistant coaches Dennis Makinka and Josphat Nkhoma, have been placed on administrative leave effective immediately. This decision comes in light of the team’s recent performance and results in the ongoing 2024/25 season,” the Nkana statement read.
Nkana are currently third from bottom inside the bottom four relegation zone with 6 points from seven games played with one win, three draws and as many defeats.
The back-to-back 2-1 away losses at Atletico Lusaka and Green Eagles over the last seven days were the last straw in a concerning start to the 2024/2025 FAZ Super League campaign.
Last season, Bakala won 11 games, and as many draws and lost 10 matches to finish 9th with 43 points to survive relegation by a razor margin of three points ahead of demoted Konkola Blades who occupied the top four seat of the demotion zones.
