After a few months in the interim […]

After a few months in the interim capacity, Elijah Tana was finally appointed as coach, replacing Mwenya Chipepo, who mutually separated at the latter part of the previous season. The appointment comes at a crucial time when Nkana is reeling from a FIFA ban, which they endured, but now there are chances of getting in some fresh blood.

 “It’s a very interesting appointment and a very huge gamble considering the fact that this is his biggest opportunity to coach, and we saw him as an interim at Nkana; he divided opinion during his interim days,” said Football Analyst Augustine Mwanza.

“The special case that Nkana f inds themselves in—hopefully they can sign new players since the lifting of the ban. It will be tricky for him, but maybe he has an understanding of the game and youth and senior teams.”

 However, Tana said the release of Congolese player Idris Mbombo is likely to cause an upset but acknowledged that the player is of age and his contract expired.

 “The move is the financial muscle, and we hope that there is a better plan to support the decisions that they are making; otherwise, they will struggle next season.”

Tana is not a newbie to Zambian football; he is hailed as a legend, having played for the Chipolopolo as a center back from 1995 to 2008. He also had club stints in Luanda, Abu Dhabi, and Rwanda and locally played the majority of his career at Brave Nchanga Rangers, cementing his status as a legend.

Article by Samuel Phiri