Makinka warns Kansanshi Dynamos over slow start in 2026 season

Kansanshi Dynamos coach Dennis Makinka has demanded an immediate start when the 2026 Zambia Super League Transitional Season begins on October 3. Kansanshi finished 11th last season with 43 points from 34 matches, recording 10 wins, 13 draws and 11 defeats.

The club’s opening fixture is away to newly promoted Makeni All Stars on October 4. Six days later, Kansanshi will visit FC MUZA before hosting reigning champions Power Dynamos on October 14. Konkola Blades then travel to Kansanshi three days later, while the first five matches conclude away against ZANACO on October 24.

Makinka regards the sequence as a demanding test but believes the team must meet it with urgency. The shortened campaign leaves less room to recover from a poor opening, making early points particularly important as clubs compete through a schedule that runs until January 27, 2027.

The revised start date has also extended Kansanshi’s preparation period. The league was initially expected to begin on September 12, but the opening was moved to October 3 after the squad had already started pre-season work. Makinka accepts that an early start could bring fatigue later, while maintaining that the coaching staff can adjust its plans.

Kansanshi’s recent results provide a platform for the coach’s demand. The side drew 0-0 with Nkana, lost 1-0 at Nkwazi, beat Prison Leopards 1-0, drew 0-0 with Power Dynamos and defeated Green Buffaloes 1-0 in its last five recorded matches. Makinka wants that late-season momentum carried into the new campaign, not simply preserved at the same level.

The coach is also seeking greater belief from his players as Kansanshi attempts to establish itself among Zambia’s leading teams. He says the club’s executives, sponsors and supporters have backed the push for improvement, while the extra preparation time has enabled the technical team to assess possible additions.

The season’s first major fixture will be the Charity Shield on September 19, when Power Dynamos face Red Arrows. Kansanshi’s immediate focus, however, is its October 4 trip to Makeni, with Makinka insisting that the team cannot allow the short season to pass it by.