By SANDRA MWILA –

MTN-FAZ Premier League side, Napsa Stars are reportedly close to engaging a new coach to take over from Peter Kaumba, who parted ways with the club after a difficult 2013 soccer season.

Club secretary Owen Chipilundu said in an interview that the club was also aiming at strengthening the team following what he termed a ‘disastrous’ outing last season with the team fighting relegation.

Chipilundu said the club was unhappy with the performance of the team and that focus was now on coming up with a strong side that should compete favourably in the league this season unlike what the case was this season.

“We are still finalising on the appointment of a new coach and I am sure by end of this week we shall name a new coach and bring in a few new players,” he said.

He could, however, not name the coaches Napsa was targeting than say that the club was looking for a coach that would take the 2012 Barclays Cup champions into the top five place finish on the table.

“To achieve that, we are also targeting at recruiting a few new players to help us strengthen our midfield and defence that cost us dearly last season,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chipilundu said reclaiming the Barclays Cup would be top of agenda this season.

He said it was unfair that Napsa surrendered the title without even playing in the competition, owing to a low standing on the table and expressed confidence that the players would be up to the challenge.