By FELIX MALUNGA –
MOPANI Copper Mines has named a new executive committee for dethroned MTN-FAZ Premier Division League champions, Nkana, with a call on the Evaristo Kabila-led team to bring back glory to Nkana Stadium next season.
Kabila, who is Mopani’s engineering manager, takes over the chairmanship from the mining firm’s chief financial officer, John Chiwele.
Chiwele, who steered Nkana to a record 12th league title in 2013, stepped down and Kabila will be deputised by Patrick Ndhlovu with Kenny Mwansa also continuing as club secretary.
Mopani chief services officer, Moses Chilangwa thanked the previous committee for winning the 2013 MTN-FAZ Premier League but expressed disappointment that the club failed to retain the title in 2014.
Nkana surrendered the league title to Zesco United.
In a statement released in Kitwe yesterday, Chilangwa challenged the incoming Kabila-led executive to reclaim the league title next year but emphasised on the need for team-work, focus and financial discipline.
“The sponsors’ and supporters’ hopes for silverware in 2015 will be on you and the players. So go out there and do us and the supporters proud by bringing back the Premiership Cup to ‘Chilata’. We will support you and will ensure that as much as possible the team is taken care of,” Chilangwa said.
Chilangwa also reminded the new Nkana committee on the return of ‘Mighty’ Mufulira Wanderers to the elite league and the imminent competition for resources from the mining firm.
He urged the Nkana team to continue being enterprising and proactive in sourcing funds for the club’s programmes.
“Many teams are already buying players to beef up their squads. If you need more players, the time is now because the 2015 soccer season is just around the corner. Tomorrow may be too late,” he said.
Kabila thanked the Mopani management for showing confidence in him and pledged to work with the rest of the team to bring back the title to Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
“We will sit immediately as a committee to review performance and plan for the next season. We are aware that time is of the essence and we will put it to good use. The task on the table is not unattainable,” Kabila said.
Mopani, the club’s major sponsors, have also replaced Chipolopolo equipment manager, Stanley Kaseko, who was a committee member, with the firm’s public relations manager, Cephas Sinyangwe.
The rest of the members of the executive were retained in the respective positions.
Nkana’s new-look executive has Kabila (chairperson), Patrick Ndhlovu (vice-chairperson), Mwansa (secretary), Alex Munasha (treasurer), Chanda Lubindo (business development manager) with committee members being Charles Chikwelete, Lombe Mbalashi, Davies Mwaba and Sinyangwe.