By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Kabwe Warriors’ bench is not happy with yesterday’s scoreless draw away to Atletico Lusaka despite the result halting a three-match losing run that has dented their challenge for the 2024/2025 title.
Thursday’s draw at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka kept them in the top five but are nine points behind leaders Power Dynamos on 45 and 54 points respectively with six games left to play.
Warriors assistant coach Derrick Mulenga said in a post-match interview at Nkoloma that only a win and not a draw would have lifted their spirits after losing their last three games.
The game also had to be played over 24 hours after it was halted on Wednesday in the 33rd minute due to heavy rains and resumed at 10h00 on Thursday morning.
“It wasn’t an easy game. Atletico Lusaka are playing good football and then also looking at yesterday’s situation, it is usually difficult when you come and play again in the morning but that is not an excuse,” Mulenga said.
“I think from the start, we wanted maximum points from this game but it is a setback for us.
“It is a phase we are going through, it is bad for us going four games without a win, but we will just continue encouraging the guys and hopefully they will pick up. “
The result is a low from the first leg in November that Warriors won 3-0 in Kabwe.
Now Warriors take a break until the month-end for both the ABSA Cup and the FIFA international match window before making a final push for a top-two finish in April and May.
Warriors’ next league game in April will be at home against Lumwana Radiants whom they beat 1-0 away.
They will then visit Mutondo Stars whom they beat 1-0 at home and then host Zesco United a side they defeated 2-0 in Ndola.
Their last three fixtures will be Napsa Stars a side they held 0-0 in Kabwe and then Nkwazi who beat them 1-0 away.
Warriors will close the season against fellow top two contenders Nkana who held them to a 1-1 draw in Kabwe.
“All these remaining games are important. We are hoping we can collect maximum points so that we see where we can finish on the log,” said Mulenga.
