Written by: Bwezani Mbewe
Zanaco’s recent run in the Zambian Super League has been nothing short of shocking, with a record that’s unsettling fans and stirring murmurs of discontent. In their last 10 games, the team has only managed to win once—against Indeni—while posting six draws and suffering three losses. Their last outing ended in a lackluster 0-0 draw with ZESCO United, a game where many hoped for a revival of Zanaco’s winning spirit. Instead, the team once again looked satisfied with “just getting by.” This complacency has become the norm for a team that was once sensational.
Critics and fans alike are asking: what’s happening to Zanaco? Once a top contender, they seem to be falling into a pattern of “settling for the status quo.” No significant changes appear to be on the horizon, and the team seems to lack the spark needed to make a comeback. Management hasn’t signaled any immediate adjustments, and players appear more comfortable with a cautious approach rather than taking the risks needed to secure victories.
This streak of underwhelming performances highlights deeper issues in both tactical and motivational areas. Unless Zanaco breaks free from this trend, they might find themselves slipping further down the league standings, a scenario fans dread but worry might be inevitable. With other teams battling hard to climb, Zanaco’s current path could soon lead to a harsh wake-up call if they don’t rediscover the drive to dominate on the pitch.
Looking back at the 2023-2024 season after Week Ten, Zanaco had a similar pattern of six draws. However, they had exchanged wins and losses more favorably, having won three games and only lost once at that stage. Despite this, they missed out on the ABSA Cup slots even when it was extended to six teams in the Super League, finishing 10th in Week Seventeen after adding only two wins from Week Ten and losing two more, ultimately suffering four additional losses that ousted them from the ABSA Cup. Just take a moment and imagine how Zanaco couldn’t make a top-six ABSA Cup slot.
Do they look like they can crawl their way up at least to the top six this season at Week Seventeen? Maybe, but indications so far are saying otherwise.
Zanaco’s Last 10 Games:
17/08 – W: Indeni 0-2 Zanaco
25/08 – D: Zanaco 1-1 Forest Rangers
29/08 – L: Zanaco 0-1 Atl. Lusaka
01/09 – L: Green Buffaloes 2-1 Zanaco
21/09 – D: Zanaco 1-1 Power Dynamos
29/09 – D: MUZA 2-2 Zanaco
05/10 – L: Zanaco 0-2 Kabwe Warriors
19/10 – D: Lumwana Radiants 0-0 Zanaco
26/10 – D: Zanaco 1-1 Mutondo Stars
03/11 – D: ZESCO United 0-0 Zanaco
A team once known for bold plays now seems stuck in a cycle of caution and low-risk strategies, with many hoping their next matches might reignite a long-dormant fighting spirit.
My Thoughts
Zanaco’s inability to secure consistent victories has left fans and pundits concerned about the future trajectory of the team. As the season progresses, the pressure mounts for Zanaco to address their tactical shortcomings and reinvigorate their squad’s competitive edge. Without significant improvements, Zanaco risks not only missing out on crucial points but also falling further into the relegation battle and missing prestigious cup opportunities.
The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether Zanaco can break free from their slump or continue their descent in the league standings.
