Green Eagles head coach Perry Mutapa has warned his players against complacency as the Stream B leaders prepare to host Roan United in their first home fixture of the 2026 MTN Super League Transitional Season on Saturday, October 17, at Independence Stadium in Choma.
Green Eagles have enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, collecting maximum points from their opening two matches on the road. They began with a commanding 4-1 victory over Mufulira Wanderers before edging ZESCO United 1-0, a run that has taken them to the top of Stream B with six points.
Despite the strong start, Mutapa insists his side must remain focused and avoid underestimating a Roan United team that has also shown encouraging early-season form.
“Good away wins, but this one is a different ball game. We are at home, and we want to do well for our supporters, especially after collecting maximum points away from home,” Mutapa said.
The Green Eagles coach is targeting a third consecutive victory and does not anticipate making significant changes to the side that delivered back-to-back wins. However, he stressed that the priority remains securing all three points in front of the home supporters.
“The most important thing, obviously, is to get maximum points. In terms of changing, I don’t think we are going to change much, but of course, we are at home. We would like to give the victory to our supporters,” he said.
Mutapa confirmed that his squad has no injury concerns and has prepared well for the encounter. Nevertheless, he expects his players to raise their performance levels against opponents who will be eager to challenge the early-season leaders.
“There are no injury concerns, and the boys have prepared very well. I think we just need to apply ourselves more than 100 percent in tomorrow’s encounter and get maximum points, but it’s not going to be easy,” he said.
Roan United travel to Choma sitting fifth in Stream B with four points. They opened their campaign with a victory over Inkwazi before playing out a goalless draw against Green Buffaloes, results that underline their ability to compete in the opening stages of the season.
Mutapa believes Green Eagles must approach the match with the same determination they showed in their opening fixtures, warning that previous results will count for nothing once the teams take to the pitch.
“Of course, it’s a different ball game. Roan United are back in the Premier League. They won away at Inkwazi and drew against GBFC. A match is always won after 90 minutes.
“Whatever has happened in the last two games doesn’t count for anything in tomorrow’s encounter. We are telling the boys not to be overconfident because the match will be won after 90 minutes. We just have to concentrate, focus, and hopefully get the three maximum points,” Mutapa said.
Beyond the match itself, the coach has called on Green Eagles supporters to turn out in numbers for the club’s first home fixture of the transitional campaign. He also praised the fans who travelled to support the team during its opening matches in Mufulira and Ndola, saying their presence had boosted the players’ morale.
“First of all, I would also like to thank the supporters on the Copperbelt. It was a job well done in Mufulira and in Ndola. We had our supporters with us for 90 minutes and it lifted the boys’ morale. Even at home, we expect much more than what we got on the Copperbelt.
“To our supporters, come in numbers and come and support the team. To our sponsors, who are always there, thank you for everything, and we hope we will do you proud tomorrow,” he said.
With six points from two matches, Green Eagles will be aiming to maintain their winning start and strengthen their position at the top of Stream B. Roan United, meanwhile, will be looking to spoil the hosts’ homecoming and build on their positive return to the top flight.
The match kicks off at Independence Stadium in Choma on Saturday, October 17, as Green Eagles seek to turn their impressive away form into another positive result in front of their home supporters.
