Experienced Zambian coach Honor Janza has said he is encouraged by Tanzania’s Namungo FC’s progress under his reign, after having successfully instilled a winning mentality in his charges.

Janza spoke to Africa Top Sports when asked about Namungo’s progress after having steered the team from eighth place to fifth on the log table with 20 points from 14 games, 16 points behind runaway leaders Yanga.

The CAF instructor said his big task was working on the psychological side of his squad for them to have a winning mentality.

“Wow. It has not been easy especially that the team was on number eight on the league [table] and pushing up the players psychologically to believe in winning games was the most focused point of my assessment in changing the players mindset,” he said.

“However, it is good to see the players showing the willingness to push the team forward and winning games during the period we have been together. Pushing the team to fifth position is quite encouraging though the journey is still far from coming to the end.”

Janza’s last job in Zambia was at Napsa Stars FC last season when he doubled as Technical Director (TD) and Chief Executive Officer in the top-flight league.

Previously, Janza served as Football Association of Zambia TD and coached clubs such as Red Arrows (Zambia) and Mbabane Swallows in Eswatini.

Janza was part of the Herve Renard-led coaching panel that guided Zambia to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 2012 after beating mighty Ivory Coast on post-match penalties.