Football
Exclusive: Walter Bwalya Says Even Jose Mourinho Cannot Solve Nkana’s Problem
Former Nkana striker Walter Bwalya claims that frequent coaching changes won’t solve Nkana’s issues. He urges the club to address internal challenges and invest in quality players to regain their standing in Zambian football.
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Former Nkana striker Walter Bwalya believes changing coaches is not the solution for Kalampa, insisting that even renowned trainers like Jose Mourinho and current Zambia national team coach, Avram Grant would struggle to revive the club in its current state.
Last week, Nkana sent coach Ian Bakala on gardening leave following a poor start to the season. One win, three draws and as many defeats were enough to see Bakala, a former Chipolopolo midfielder sidelined.
Nkana are desperate to challenge for the title, having last lifted the league in 2020. That season, the campaign was prematurely ended after 27 games owing to the COVID – 19 pandemic.
However they have struggled ever since, last season, the club avoided relegation, finishing just four points above the relegation zone.
SportsBoom.com can reveal that the club has decided to replace Bakala with Mwenya Chipepo, a league winner with Nkana’s city rivals Power Dynamos. Chipepo was in the stands during Wednesday’s scoreless draw against Nchanga Rangers.
The Chipepo appointment is the fifth coaching change at the club since 2020, following the tenures of Manfred Chabinga, Kelvin Kaindu, club legend Beston Chambeshi, and Bakala.
COACHES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM
Bwalya, who played for the club between 2015 and 2019 before going on to turn up for Egyptian sides El Gounah and Al Ahly, believes Nkana’s recent struggles have nothing to do with the coaches they employ.
“Nkana is a big club, we can blame coaches, but we also need to know what internal issues are at the club. Are things, okay? I have heard they will replace [Ian] Bakala, and bring another coach, but that is not a solution. You cannot tell me that Bakala is bad, he proved himself in Zambia football,“ Bwalya told SportsBoom.com.
today, they can change the coach, they can bring even [George] Lwandamina, they can bring Avram Grant, they can even bring even José Mourinho, but as long as they don’t put the house in order, nothing will change.
Walter Bwalya
The 2016 Zambia Super League player-of-the-year and golden boot winner said it is painful to see his former club wallowing in the relegation zone when they should be challenging at the top.
Following their scoreless draw with Nchanga Rangers on Wednesday, Nkana remained third from bottom with seven points.
INVEST IN QUALITY PLAYERS
Bwalya accused the club’s management of not investing in quality players that can compete against other top clubs like Zesco United, Red Arrows and city rivals Power. He said it is inexcusable that Nkana is no longer attracting the best players.
“If you claim to be a big club, if you want to maintain your place as a top club you should invest seriously in your squad. If you want Nkana to be back, you should invest. In Zambia, Nkana is like Manchester United, so they should not be struggling to get the best players.
“It is sad that you have a good player like Larry Bwalya, he comes as free agent from South Africa and Nkana fails to get such a player. Today in the Zambia national team, there is no Nkana player. Can you imagine that?”
NEW COACH SHOULD CHALLENGE THE PLAYERS
He said Chipepo has his work cut out in getting the best out of the current squad.
“I can challenge the new coach, when he is unveiled, he needs to teach the players what it takes to play for Nkana. He needs to tell those players that the Nkana badge is heavy. There is pressure at that club and the players need to soak up that pressure.
“You need to know the meaning of playing for Nkana, I feel some players don’t understand the responsibility that comes with playing for the biggest club in Zambia, it is up to the coach to make them understand,” he said.
Chipepo, a CAF A license holder is seen as one of the most promising coaches in Zambia. He has previously coached at Prison Leopards, Indeni, Power Dynamos and most recently Forest Rangers.
His tangible success came at Power where he guided his boyhood club to the league title in the 2022/23 season, ending the Kitwe side’s 12 – year wait for league success. Nkana will hope he will turn their fortunes.
Mathews is an experienced public relations practitioner, journalist, and photographer. He began his career as a sports reporter at the Zambia Daily Mail, one of the country's leading publications.