NKAUSU MAKING HEADWAYS AT ZESCO UNITED

Willard Nkausu was among a horde of players who came for trials at ZESCO United ahead of the opening 2020/2021 FAZ/MTN Super League season.  

ZESCO United management has made it a ritual to scout for the best talent from among the club’s developmental teams.

This was another opportunity granted to the club’s technical bench to assess those with the courage, confidence, skill and ability to compete with the clubs elite players.

Former ZESCO Mailaiti Rangers defender, Nkausu made the final list of the six players selected from a cross section of five teams.

“I am very excited to be among the players selected to be part of the main ZESCO United squad. This is a rare opportunity for me and I will do my best to compete and show that I can play,” Nkausu said.

Promotion to the ZESCO United main team didn’t guarantee the six players first team football.

This was the first phase of the many trials that the players were expected to go through.

For Nkausu, a stern test against seasoned players like Simon Silwimba, Clement Mwape, Adrian Chama, Marcel Kalonda and Mwila Phiri awaited the former Malaiti Rangers defender. It was swim or sink for the 30-year-old defender.

Nkausu has stayed put, competed and respectfully waited for his opportunity to come even at a time when young players like Enock Sakala, Samuel Sikaonga and Samson Mkandawire got an early call from Coach Numba Mumamba.

“The level here is different from playing in the lower tier of the Zambian game. It has been an important period for me to learn and adjust to what the coach has been telling me. There is a lot to learn also from senior players.”

Nkausu’s opportunity to dawn the ZESCO United jersey beckoned on January 17, when ZESCO United visited Nkana Football Club in a crucial week 13 fixture played at Nkana stadium.

With ZESCO United missing the services of Adrian Chama and Clement Mwape who were on national duty, it was a chance for Nkausu to bite the bullet.

“It was an exciting moment for me to play in a big game like that one. I had been preparing for such an opportunity. I was of course nervous especially that Nkana is a big team and this was a big game. However, with support from the coach and players it went very well for me and we won the game,” recalls Nkausu.

Nkausu went on to feature in ZESCO United’s next game against Nkwazi which ended in defeat and played in ZESCO United’s victory against Lusaka Dynamos.

“It has been a very important experience for me to play in these games. I wish to thank the coach and senior players for the support. The coach has been encouraging me a lot. He is someone who understands and gives opportunities. I need to continue working hard.”

The ZESCO United defender believes the club has what it takes to win the league title.

”It was important for us to win the last two games as we fight to reclaim the league title. We have a very big game on Sunday against Forest Rangers. The most important thing for us to continue working hard as unit. We will achieve our target.”

Author: Desmond Katongo