Nkana FC head coach Elijah Tana says his side are adequately prepared for Saturday’s MTN Super League Week 6 encounter against Power Dynamos at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Tana says the technical bench has placed particular emphasis on the mental demands of the Copperbelt derby, which he expects to be a highly competitive encounter between the two rivals.
The Nkana coach believes the occasion requires more than physical readiness, especially with a young squad that must be mentally prepared to handle the intensity and pressure associated with the fixture.
“Football is all about preparation. The preparation we take it as if it is a plan when you are getting married. When you are getting married, what do you do? You plan,” Tana said.
He acknowledged the energy within his young squad but stressed the importance of keeping the players focused and ensuring they do not underestimate their opponents.
“My players are very young, so they are energetic, but to work on it is mental. You know young players, they have time to collapse, so I talk to them. This is a derby, don’t relax, don’t take it easy. It will be tough,” he added.
Tana also acknowledged the responsibility resting on the technical bench to ensure the team is properly prepared for such an important fixture, maintaining that Nkana have planned adequately for the challenge.
“Of course, from our side, we planned for it. We planned for it adequately. So we will go for it,” he said.
Nkana will, however, be without captain Harrison Chisala, who is nursing an injury. Striker Dave Daka is also unavailable after picking up an injury in last Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Konkola Blades.
Saturday’s encounter presents Nkana with an opportunity to respond to that setback and return to winning ways, although they face a Power Dynamos side equally determined to deliver in one of the biggest fixtures on the Copperbelt football calendar.
The Week 6 encounter will kick off at 15h00 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola and will be broadcast live on TopStar.
