WE ARE HERE TO WIN BACK
…we are here because we want to go and salvage the championship once again, says Chisi Mbewe
By Cecilia Nayame
SUPER Division Side Red Arrows have signed under-20 players Patrick Simwinga and Fostino Mwenya.
And Arrows have set a seven-day training camp in Siavonga ahead of the 2025/26 league season which kicks off next month.
Arrows football club coach Chisi Mbewe confirmed the development in a statement posted on the club Facebook page yesterday.
Mbewe said the pre-season training camp is a retreat meant to help players with a physical and psychological recharge ahead of the season.
He said the team will go through rigorous sessions as well as tactical drills during the training camp.
“We are here not only to sharpen our physical fitness and tactical discipline but to strengthen team de corps and focus,” Mbewe said.
He said objectives of the pre-season training camp are as clear as ambitious.
“This camping experience is the final ignition point to launch our season on a high. The hunger in the squad, following the inclusion of young stars and others in the coming days, is real. We are here to go back and salvage the league championship once again,” said Mbewe whose team won a double during the 2023/24 Super league season.
He said the training camp will also help the team to bond and knit the squad into a unified force ahead of the season.
“We are here because we want to go and salvage the championship once again especially after having conducted a series of local training sessions in Lusaka and now the journey to Siavonga,” Mbewe said.
Mbewe also said that the promotion of new players is an indication that the club is serious at promoting talent youth talent.
He said that have been promoted were drawn from Air Force satellite teams, developmental academies and partner’s clubs after a talent search conducted in Lusaka.
“We are impressed with the talent we saw during the search. Their is immense potential from players and we are confident that some stars will emerge from this group,” Mbewe said.
He described the move by the club as a huge investment in tapping talent.
“It was not an easy selection because most of the boys showed incredible promise,” he said.
And club chief executive officer Kambani Lungu said the 16 players who have been promoted will be attached to various teams under the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) sponsorship.
He said the talent search is a strategic initiative that will add value to the team.
“This talent search initiative was crucial for the club’s long-term success…the objective is to allow the club to develop a strong pipeline of players for the main team and create a competitive and dynamic squad,” he said.
He said other reinforcements for the team will be announced in due course.
“We need a blend of rising stars and experienced players to remain competitive,” Lungu said.
He also confirmed that during the talent search the club acquired the services of Simwinga and Mwenya who have joined the team from Mpande Youth Academy and Ndeke Aero Strikers football clubs, respectively.
The 16 selected players include Caristo Chitembele (Aero-Macci FC), Chinga Bandama (Titans FC), Dickson Miyoba (Air Power FC), Lewis Mwasichemo (Sporting Lusaka FC), Kakanda Sinyangwe (Titans FC), John Kabwe (Teta FC) and Joseph Silavwe (Teta FC).
Others are Success Sakayate (Lusaka Youth Academy), Crispin Sikasibi (Makeni All Stars FC), Patson Mpande (RAFC Youth), Kapambwe Mulenga (Ndeke Aero Strikers FC), Benjamin Chishimba (Ndeke Aero Strikers FC), Hilary Nkomesha (Aero-Macci FC), Henry Daka (RAFC Youth), Nicholas Tembo (RAFC Youth) and Sydney Mwansa (RAFC Youth).
