ZESCO Ndola Girls turn focus to Zambia Premier League title defence after final defeat

ZESCO Ndola Girls have shifted their attention to defending the Zambia Premier League title after losing to Mamelodi Sundowns in the final, with coach Katya saying the team will use the experience to improve before returning to domestic competition.

The back-to-back Zambia Premier League champions were beaten by Sundowns after a final that ended with the South African side prevailing on penalties. Katya said the defeat was disappointing, but believes her players demonstrated the commitment and fighting spirit required to compete at the highest level.

“We have another task ahead of us which is to defend the championship back home and I think the positives we’ve picked up from here is the commitment and the fighting spirit from the players,” Katya said.

ZESCO Ndola Girls were also recognised for their conduct during the competition, receiving the Fair Play Award for their discipline, respect and sportsmanship.

Their performances were further reflected in the selection of the final best 11, with four of their players included. The quartet were Charity Mubanga, Eneless Phiri, Mable Bwalya and Jackline Chomba.

Katya said the team’s progress in the competition had been built on a strong collective effort and that the players’ dedication would be important as they turn back to the defence of their domestic crown.

“We pick it up from here to improve the areas that we need to improve on as a team so that when we come back, we will come back for the title.”

The Zambian side had already established itself as a serious contender before the final. They surprised three-time champions Mamelodi Sundowns by beating them in last year’s semi-finals.

They then reached the previous final, where they lost 3-4 on penalties to Botswana club Gaborone United. That result meant they had suffered another narrow defeat at the final stage, despite continuing to make deep runs in the competition.

Katya said the latest loss was not part of the team’s plan and identified a slow start and the decisive penalty as key moments in the match against Sundowns.

“The result was not good, not part of the plan but I think we started on a very slow note but the positives is that the girls pushed, equalised and then obviously I think they were so much under pressure and so we had to make that penalty that really let us down,” the coach added.

Despite the disappointment, the coach said the response from her players offered encouragement. ZESCO Ndola Girls fought their way back into the contest after falling behind, equalising before the match was decided by the penalty shootout.

The club’s Fair Play Award and the inclusion of four players in the final best 11 provided further recognition of their campaign. Katya now wants those positives, along with the lessons from the defeat, to help the team retain its Zambia Premier League championship back home.