By CHINOYI CHIPULU
Despite Nkana recording a rare away win, coach Kelvin Kaindu has bemoaned the reception the club was accorded in Tanzania in last Sundays CAF Confederation Cup Group D encounter against Namungo.
The Kitwe side endured a torrid time just hours before the match as they were made to warm-up in the car park while awaiting for Covid-19 test results which are mandatory.
The drama in the Build-up to the match however did not prevent Nkana from beating the host 1-0 to register their maiden win in the group stage.
Prior to the win Nkana had lost to Egyptians Pyramids 3-0 and Raja Casablanca of Morocco 2-0.
Kaindu said in a post-match interview that the game which was delayed for an hour was difficult for his charges.
“Honestly for me as a coach it’s difficult for me to talk about the game, this game was played outside, very difficult for us. The game was delayed for almost an hour.
“We had our covid19 results which were ready for the whole team but they kept coming in batches, I don’t know how many starting line ups we had to change, at first we had 11 players with two goal keepers which made it very difficult for us,” he said.
Kaindu said Nkana is not the first club to complain about the bad reception in Tanzania.
“All the teams that have been coming here have been complaining, probably we will wait to see what kind of a report will be given to FIFA but honestly we are not happy and we will log in a complaint and we did that even before the game and definitely there will be another report after the game. We are not happy with the reception they gave us,” he said.
Kaindu said despite recording a win, the team members missed a lot of chances to score more goals.
Midfielder Diamond Chikwekwe netted the solitary goal to ensure Nkana picked maximum points.
“I think it’s because of anxiety and staying outside for a long time, we did our warm-up outside. We created a lot of chances with a lot of composure, it could have been a better result but three points matters today. We have seen the teams from North Africa the way they have dominated, I think they have taken advantage but we knew that today the team that gets three points with a lot of hope,” he said.
And Striker Emmanuel Mwiinde said it’s good the team won despite what it went through.
“When you playing away you expect anything, we thank you God, no matter what happened, at the end of the day we carried the day,” said the former Buildcon striker.
Victory over Namungo pushed Nkana to three points while leaders Raja Casablanca and second placed Pyramids have nine and six points respectively.
Nkana will host the Tanzanians this weekend at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
