Mzuzu City Hammers head coach Chisomo Kamulanje has attributed his side’s inconsistent start to the NBS Bank National Division League season to a lack of confidence among his players following their relegation from the top-flight league.
Kamulanje made the remarks on Wednesday after his team suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Chilobwe United at Blantyre Sports Club, a result that further exposed the struggles the northern region outfit has faced during the opening weeks of the campaign.Ekwendeni Hammers register first win
The defeat leaves Mzuzu City Hammers with plenty of work to do if they are to revive their promotion hopes and challenge for an immediate return to the elite league.
Speaking after the match, Kamulanje admitted that rebuilding the players’ belief has become one of his biggest priorities, saying many members of the squad are still emotionally affected by the club’s relegation from the TNM Super League.
He explained that while the technical panel continues to work on tactical and physical aspects of the game, restoring the players’ mental strength remains equally important.
According to the coach, confidence is a key ingredient in football, and without it, players struggle to express themselves even when they possess the required ability and talent.
Kamulanje expressed optimism that the team will eventually recover, insisting that the coaching staff remains committed to helping the players regain their self-belief and return to winning ways.
“Our focus now is to lift the players psychologically and encourage them to believe in themselves again. Once they regain that confidence, I believe the results will improve,” he added.
Mzuzu City Hammers have endured an inconsistent campaign so far, collecting just seven points from six matches. The club currently occupies ninth position on the National Division League table, a performance that falls below the expectations of supporters who had hoped for a strong promotion challenge this season.Grand Palace Hotel Expands Community Partnerships with Mzuzu City Hammers and High-Profile Boxing Events
The gap between Mzuzu City Hammers and league leaders Songwe Border has already widened to six points, with Songwe Border sitting at the top of the standings on 13 points after six games.
With the league becoming increasingly competitive, every point will be crucial as teams battle for promotion places.
The heavy defeat against Chilobwe United has also highlighted areas that require immediate improvement, particularly in defence and attack. Mzuzu City Hammers struggled to cope with their opponents’ intensity and were unable to create enough clear scoring opportunities throughout the encounter.
Despite the setback, Kamulanje believes there is still sufficient time for his side to turn the season around. He has urged his players to remain united, work hard in training and maintain a positive attitude ahead of the upcoming fixtures.
The coach also expressed confidence that the supporters will continue backing the team during this difficult period, noting that patience and unity will be essential as the club seeks to rebuild.
Mzuzu City Hammers now shift their attention to Sunday’s home fixture against Mighty Tigers at Rumphi Stadium. The match presents an important opportunity for the team to return to winning ways and rebuild confidence before the first round progresses further.
A positive result against Mighty Tigers could provide the momentum the club desperately needs and reduce the gap between themselves and the leading teams in the National Division League standings.
Supporters will be hoping the players respond positively to their coach’s message by producing a spirited performance on home soil. With several matches still remaining in the season, Mzuzu City Hammers still have an opportunity to revive their promotion ambitions, but consistency and improved confidence will be critical if they are to achieve their objective of returning to Malawi’s top-flight football.
Sunday’s encounter at Rumphi Stadium could therefore prove to be a defining moment in the club’s campaign as Kamulanje and his players seek to end their poor run of form and reignite belief within the squad.
