Chambeshi ultimatum rumour angers Nkana fans

by Staff Reporter

Thursday Mar 03, 2022. 15:46

Nkana are battling to defuse a potential stand-off with its hard-core supporters, following a leak that there were plans to hand coach Beston Chambeshi a two-match ultimatum following a spate of poor results.

The record 12-time champions’ interest in the 2021/2022 FAZ Super League title race has lost some momentum after winning three and drawing as many games of their last eight matches since the start of 2022.

Nkana’s form has seen them drop from the top four and they are now down to number seven on 37 points, and trail 14 points behind leaders Red Arrows with nine games left before the title is decided.

“A certain executive committee member wanted to bring that confusion but it has been sorted out and no letter has been given to Beston Chambeshi,” a senior club official told African Football.

Another Nkana official likened the proposal to censure Chambeshi by their colleague to disputing the relationship between smoke and fire – especially at a club synonymous with volatility.

Nkana fans have given Chambeshi a vote of confidence despite the team’s dip in form, after he saved the Kitwe club from the brink of relegation last season following his appointment last April just after Kelvin Kaindu was fired.

Moreover, Chambeshi is an Nkana legend and was a member of the famed side that dominated Zambian football in the 1980s.

Chambeshi was also part of another Nkana revival in 1997 as Patrick Phiri’s assistant when the Kitwe side went through the doldrums after winning the 1993 title.

The duo guided Nkana to two league titles in 1999 and 2001, including five domestic trophy victories during the same timeframe.

Meanwhile, the timing of the development comes as Nkana are home this Saturday where a tense atmosphere in support of Chambeshi is expected when they host fourth-from-bottom Kafue Celtic.