Augustine Mulenga explains short-term Napsa deal

Midfielder Augustine Mulenga is keeping his options open about extending his stay at Napsa Stars after joining them as a free agent until January.

The ex -Orlando Pirates and Amazulu midfielder was unveiled by the promoted Zambian club on October 7.

Mulenga joins Napsa on a short-term deal that will run until the middle of the 2022/2023 FAZ Super League season.

“I am not really worried about the contract.  If I can work hard and show people what I can really do, Napsa will probably give me a long contract,” Mulenga said.

Mulenga returns to the game following an anti-climax departure from AmaZulu, where an injury last March while in CAF Confederation Cup action saw him see out his stay at the club.

“I have been out without playing football for five to six months. It is a good feeling to be coming back to the field,” Mulenga said.

“I am still young and still have room to learn.”

Mulenga added that Napsa coach Perry Mutapa played a pivotal role in luring him to the Lusaka club. 

“I had some opportunities elsewhere, like joining my former club Zanaco, but of all the teams, Napsa showed the strongest interest,” Mulenga said. 

“I had a few conversations with the coach, and that is one of the things that interested me the most.” 

Mulenga’s return to the FAZ Super League comes just a month after his Chipolopolo and ex-Pirates club mate Justin Shonga returned home and rejoined his former club Nkwazi.

Sadly that prospective reunion comes in mid-January when Nkwazi hosts Napsa on January 14.

It is fingers crossed to see if Mulenga will extend his Napsa stay long enough for that Lusaka derby.

However, Mulenga will only make his Napsa debut during the weekend of October 15 when they visit Kansanshi Dynamos in Lumwana.

Napsa has the weekend off because their Week 7 home date against Zesco United has been rescheduled to October 19.

Zesco is away in South Africa on a CAF Confederation Cup assignment on October 7 against Royal AM in Durban.