Gildah Soriano- The man giving Chipata United hope of survival                                                                                                                  

FAZ National Division One will this weekend enters week 33 of action with the race for promotion to MTN Super League and survival to remain in the second tier of the Zambian league football taking a new twist.

The National League is regarded by many as a tough one and is believed to be very competitive.

The main question at the moment is who is going to show that lasting resilience to defy FAZ national league odds with two teams already promoted to the MTN Super League and two teams confirmed relegated with two spots up for promotion and two remaining for demotion. 

The fight for promotion is now between Atletical Lusaka, Indeni and Young Green Buffaloes while demotion spot start from 7^th position occupied by Mpulungu Harbour and ends on 16^th spot currently occupied by Kafue Eagles with a difference of 9 points in  between them but some teams like National Assembly who are on 15^th position with 34 points have played two games less than mpulungu Harbour on 7^th position with 43 points. 

Week 33 games will be crucial for most teams as it will give a clear indication of who is going to remain in the second tier and progress to MTN Super Division. 

The pride of Eastern province housing the provincial capital name with a unity tag of United are  caught up in the fight against relegation.

Chipata United sit on 11^th position needing atleast 4 points in their remaining two games to confirm their continued stay in the National division one league but that also will depend on results of other teams in the same fight with. 

What is so tricky is that Chipata United all the remaining last two games will be away fixtures on the Copperbelt, in the friendly city of Ndola and the mining town of Luanshya.

With a new gaffer at the helm, Chipata United have emerged victorious 3 times, drawn 4 times  only lost once against Zesco Malaiti Rangers in the 8 games he has been in charge. 

He took the mantle when the team was in relegation zone but has managed to take them to a more safer 11^th position though not totally safe. 

The team and province is in full belief of the man who has beaten  notable teams like 1st placed Lumwana Radiants and 3^rd placed Atletical Lusaka , drawn with  2nd placed Nchanga Rangers away in Chingola  and 6^th placed City of Lusaka at home an achievement that is not so easy but one to make everyone believe in him and the entire team that they will make it.

Prince Kanyinji of Zamfoot crew this week took time and had an interview with Gildah Soriano who is Chipata United Head coach to discuss team’s prospects. 

The team’s achievement under him deserve some praise and explanations and was asked what the secret to his success is. 

“First I worked on the team’s  mental aspect what I mean is that I told the guys the truth about football, how best it is for them and I also came with the passing, progressing and pressing type of play,” Soriano said. 

“We have won 3 games, drawn 4 and lost 1 during my reign, we must understand to say not all players would adopt the system of play we have been trying to put across, and the position we found the team was not good hence we have been trying to use whatever has been available for us to be in the league.”

According to the gaffer, Chipata United just has to survive relagation and remain in the league and that will depend on the team’s last two away games. 

“The fact that we are playing two away games and also position of the teams we are facing matters too, however we will make it we have no excuse of whatsoever as everything is possible, we are working so hard and if our belief is that, the more we work hard the better the chances of survival,” Soriano told the ZamFoot Crew. 

“We  always have problems when are playing away games due to transport, we get to have not much rest for the boys, we are never on time, in short, financial services are a challenge for the team but what has helped us to overcome these challenges so as to get desired results is that we won the dressing room, we also understood the league, teams in the league how they play and so on but above all we have always put God first and unity because I believe the forces of unity are more powerful than forces of division.”

The call for support from fans of Chipata United on the copper rich province has been made public. Chipata United chances of survival depend on their performance in the last two games.

By Prince Kanyinji