We learned lessons from the loss to NAPSA Stars – Kakonje 

Red Arrows assistant coach Kalilo Kakonje says the club has learned from their failure to win a double two years ago. 

The Airmen are just a win away from completing a league and Cup double, something they almost did in 2022 only to lose to NAPSA Stars in the final of the ABSA Cup. 

Kakonje believes the Zambia Air Force sponsored outfit has done its homework and learned lessons from the loss to NAPSA Stars. 

“Congratulations to Kabwe Warriors for coming this far. It’s never easy. We have done our homework. We understand what type of team we are facing. A team with a rich history and an experienced coach. We have done our homework and hope we can get the cup tomorrow,” he said. 

“We lost to NAPSA Stars, we were hoping to do a double that year but it did not happen. We learned our lessons and we have done our homework. Hopefully going into Sunday’s final it will be a different game altogether.”

Despite scoring eleven goals, the Airmen have also conceded in each and every game they have played in the tournament which Kakonje says they have been working on. 

“Conceding goals has been one of our homeworks and it’s been a concern. We have worked on that and hopefully it works on Sunday,” he said. 

“We expect fatigue but we have had a rotation system and it has worked for us. The job is not yet done. We need to get the job done and then celebrate later,” he added. 

Captain Benedict Chepeshi says the Airmen will do their best to walk away with the ABSA Cup crown. 

“We have prepared well and the team is ready for Sunday. We will do our best. You can see the hard work each of the team’s have put in. It won’t be easy. We will do our best to carry the day,” he said. 

“Two different games. We have done our homework and pushed to reach this far. We have been encouraging our youngsters, this is the time of game they need to keep going forward.”

Kick off at the National Heroes Stadium is set for 15h30.

The winner of this year’s ABSA Cup will pocket K800,000, with K350,000 reserved for second place.

The ABSA Life Player of the Tournament, Top Scorer, and Golden Glove will each get K25,000.