Napsa Stars coach and ex-Orlando Pirates midfielder Perry Mutapa believes their pre-season friendly outing away against nine-time Zambian champions Zesco United in Ndola was a fantastic test before this weekend’s 2022 Charity Shield final clash against Red Arrows in Lusaka.
Napsa, who won the 2021 ABSA Cup on their way to securing FAZ Super League promotion last season, face the defending league champions Arrows in the season-opening Charity Shield final on August 13 in Lusaka.
The Lusaka side prepared for the Charity Shield final with two pre-season games against Zesco away at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola on August 6, winning game one 2-1 and losing the second friendly by the same margin.
“I think Saturday’s game has given us a clear picture of where we are. One was in favour of us, and the other in favour of Zesco, by the same scoreline of 2-1,” Mutapa said.
“For me, the essence was playing a quality side at short notice like Zesco despite travelling on the day of the game.
“But I think the boys gave a good account of ourselves, but we needed this because, in our preparations, we hadn’t tasted a Premier League side.
“Zesco being a big club and former champions that have won a lot of league titles and cups in the recent past, have given us a very good game.
“Going forward, next week, we will work on our mistakes so that we start on a good note this Saturday.”
The Charity Shield final will come a week before Napsa’s opening round one league Lusaka derby fixture on August 20, away to the same opponent at Nkoloma Stadium.
Mutapa took charge of Napsa a year ago following their demotion to the second tier and successfully led the Lusaka side back to top-flight football on the first attempt.
He topped it up with the 2022 ABSA Cup triumph over Arrows, whom Napsa beat 1-0 in the final on April 30 at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Mutapa is now hoping to guide Napsa to only their second-ever Cup honour when they play Arrows in the Charity Shield.
Meanwhile, Napsa is the second club Mutapa has guided to promotion since taking up coaching in 2012 when he steered Lusaka Dynamos back to the FAZ Super League in 2014 following a four-year absence.
RELATED STORY: Ex-Polokwane City midfielder tips Zambia’s Zanaco for glory
