MICHAEL MIYOBA and AUGUSTINE MWANZA writes @SunZambian
NAPSA Stars Football Club has beefed up its squad with the inclusion of Burundian midfielder Enock Sabumuka and Kenyan international David Owino Odiambo from Zesco United.
NAPSA Stars Technical Director Honor Janza confirmed the signing of the two former players in a statement issued by the club’s Media and Public Relations Officer Gwen Chipasula.
Janza, who is also the club’s general manager, confirmed that Sabumukama has penned a three-year deal while Kenyan national Odhiambo has signed for two years.
“We are more than excited to have these two on board because we have no doubt they come in with experience to help us both in the league and continental competitions,” Janza said.
Meanwhile, after loaning midfielder Kapembwa Musonda to Buildcon FC for one year, the club has released six players.
Those released include defenders Dennis Dauda, Keegan Zulu, Smart Banda, Stephen Phiri, midfielder John Sikaumbwe and striker Andrew Tololwa.
“Everyone at Napsa Stars wishes all the six players all the very best in their futures and thank them for their time and commitment at the club,” Janza adds.
And club Head coach Mohamed Fathi is confident the pair of Sabumukama and Odiambo will add value to the club as it competes in the local league and the continental games.
Fathi who described his teams pairing with Gor Mahia in the CAF Confederations Cup as a fair draw said Napsa Stars will compete as it seeks to write its own history in the Confederations Cup.
NAPSA Stars were drawn against Kenyan giants Gor Mahia in the CAF Confederation Cup play off round as they push for a place in the group stage.
Fathi is aware of the huge history that the Kenyan outfit has and wants to get down to work immediately preparing for the match. The Egyptian born gaffer feels starting away is an advantage for his team.
“I think it’s a fair draw and i think it will be very interesting to play Gor Mahia they have a big history but also we are writing our history in this competition and do that it will be very interesting as well for me it’s a fair draw,”he said.
“You see when you start away it’s an advantage, on our side but also it’s an advantage on their side it depends on how the game will go,but of course always when you play first game at home there is too much pressure on the home team because if they do not get a result that can become very difficult and we had this experience before and we know what we are going to do when we are playing home and we know what Gor Mahia will be thinking about approaching the game and from there we are going to build our plan.”
“There are permanent team in continental football and the material is very available and we will start our home work immediately by next week we will finish our file for Gor Mahia and we will start building our plan the week later,” he added.
“The two players are experienced players and they have experience at international level they national team players for their countries and also they have played continental football before, they have big continental experience playing for Zesco United so it’s advantage for Napsa and it’s a big step for us, am confident they will add value to the team,” he added.
The first leg will take place on 14th February while the second legs will take place a week later with Napsa starting away in Kenya before hosting the K’Ogalo in Lusaka.
