‘We are training from home, but intensity not same’

MUKWIMA CHILALA writes KAFUE Celtics attacking midfielder Albert Kangwanda and National Assembly FC midfielder Robin Miyanda say footballers have been able to comply with the rule to train from home but have described the challenge of ensuring peak performance. Speaking on the Eden Football talk show on Joy FM, the duo disclosed to the host Eden University media officer Tim Zulu that they had been training but not at their maximum capacity. “Group training is competitive because it pushes you to the limit with the aim of surpassing your colleague and if you are lazy it shows,” Kangwanda said. “Now the difference with self-training is that you have no one to compete against, but just trying to keep yourself in shape.” He says he has been observing the self-training rule from “day one” and encouraged other footballers to remain focused on observing the rules to stop the spread of Covid-19 but to remain fit. As the second top scorer, with 10 goals against an initial target is 20 goals during the Eden University National Division OneLeague season, Kangwanda said despite training three times a day, the intensity was not the same. And National Assembly midfielder Robin Miyanda said that once the League resumed, the first few weeks would be quite difficult. “For us as a club if you recall, immediately coach Mishech Lungu was appointed as our coach we had started winning games, we were hitting top form, but am worried because I feel the intensity will not be the same when we are back unless otherwise,” he said. “As you may be aware it takes considerable good weeks to build players to reach their peak with a winning mentality.” Miyanda who has contributed 2 goals with the Parliamentarians said that despite the scary situation of Covid-19, self-training had continued since and would remain so until such a time. And Indeni Striker with 7 goals to his name, Rodgers Mukenge and his goalkeeper Alpha Lukonga encouraged fellow players not to laze around but continue putting in even extra effort. Lukonge urged all players in the Eden League to keep working out because the job was not yet done. And Prison Leopards striker Savior Nkonkola said the effects of not being fully fit would show if players were complacent. All sporting activities have been suspended due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic so as to combat the spread of the virus.