By CHINOYI CHIPULU
Napsa Stars hopes of remaining in the Super Division were on Sunday ended after they were beaten 1-0 by Policemen Nkwazi at Edwin Imboela Stadium.
Defeat confirmed Napsa as a third team to be relegated from the topflight this season after Kitwe United and Lumwana Radiants.
Kitwe United were the first team to be demoted last month while Lumwana followed suit on Saturday and 24 hours later Napsa joined them.
Napsa’ nine-year stay in topflight ended after Stephen Mutama scored from a free kick in 67th minute.
The loss saw the Pensioners remain stuck on third from bottom with 36 points and ahead of the season finale against Nkana this weekend.
Napsa caretaker coach Kampamba Chintu said despite going down his team put up a spirited fight.
Chintu said his charges will take the demotion in a positive way so that they don’t stay in the lower league forever.
“We fought, we could have made a difference. The players gave it all, credit to them, we had some chances that we could not convert but we did not. Nkwazi scored is from a set piece and football is like that.
“It’s not about how many times you fall, it’s how you rise. It has happened, we have to take it in a positive way so that we come back quickly,” he said.
Chintu said Napsa played more than 46 games in the season
“I think we played so many games in the season. It’s the first time we played more than 46 games in the season so we have learned one or two things from this and next time we have to manage the situation well,” he said.
Napsa and Green Eagles were the country’s envoys in the CAF Confederation Cup while Nkana and Forest Rangers will the flag carriers in the CAF Champions League.
Napsa and Nkana, who dropped into the Confederation Cup, reached the group stages of the competition before they bowed out.
