Zambian winger opens up on Equity FC’s steady rise, life in Kenya
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Reading Time: 4min | Wed. 12.11.25. | 17:44
The player is a Bachelor of Science student of Information System and Technology at USIU
Equity Bank FC have taken to the FKF National Super League (NSL) like fish to water, starting off slightly shaky before finding their footing later on.
Coached by John Mbenzo, the second tier newbies dispatched last season’s promotion contenders Kibera Black Stars in their backyard- the nail-biting contest highlighting round 7 of the NSL.
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Coach Mbenzo’s charges, though new to the league as a unit, are not short of experienced players and this might explain their recent run of form.
Fresh blood, in the way of youngsters eager to make a mark, however, is the complement the bankers needed.
They have one in Bevex Kapansa who despite being out of round 7, already has his name on two goals.
He says they just try to have fun.
‘’The coaches always tell us before games to go out and enjoy ourselves. Most of the time we are just having fun, and at the end of it we get the results.
We also do have a perfect blend in both experienced and young players, so the experienced ones keep the team together and guide while the youngsters bring the energy. No pressure, we just enjoy,’’ says the 22 year old.
Before squaring off with Black Stars, Equity had had to ward off a previously undefeated Migori Youth- top of the table at the time- in another mouth-watering five-goal thriller.
Ending 3-2 in favour of the bankers, the tie proved coach Mbenzo’s men indeed capable of dancing with the big boys.
‘’We have to stand up and be counted,’’ continues Kapansa.
‘’Our last two games we came up against the league leaders, both of them (Migori Youth & Kibera Black Stars). The coaches told us that for us to be counted in the league we have to go to these kinds of fixtures and get a positive result, and that was our motivation,’’ says the speedy winger, a student at the United States International University (USIU).
Kapansa recalls how quickly they set to work when news came that they would be in the league.
For coach Mbenzo, he had to realise the magnitude of competing in the country’s second tier and work fast to adjust his squad.
He would end up with a blend of both experienced and untested players.
‘’Throughout our pre-season we were readying ourselves for the challenge. We knew it was going to be difficult and competitive but luckily enough we have a number of players who have played in the division before and even the premier league. It’s an amazing team to be around.
We have ambitious players who just want to make a mark for themselves. It is an interesting team that is about to make a lot of surprises,’’ adds Kapansa.
It has been the norm for new entrants into the NSL to start off campaigns high flying then later recede to their ‘deserved’ positions as the league wears on.
Kapansa says they are fully aware of the trend but have faith that their technical bench is always working on a plan.
‘’We are indeed aware of how tiring this league can be. We will need a lot of depth and that is up to the technical bench to work on.
We are focussed more on playing, that is why you won’t see us a lot on social media. God-willing, we want to make it to the premier league on our first trial,’’ reveals the winger, a Bachelor of Science student of Information System and Technology at USIU.
Kapansa played for USIU Wolves in the lower tiers before being spotted by the bankers.
In Kenya doing his studies, yet being talented, he said why not balance the two and now having made it to the second tier all while pursuing an undergraduate program is testament to the fact that the lad is indeed determined.
He says he did not find it hard to settle in the Kenyan game though.
‘’I did not find it hard to settle into the Kenyan game because most of African football is almost the same. Zambian football is fast-paced , and you have to be running all the time. There is no walking in the Zambian league, and that is what I have found in the NSL too.
I just feel at home. The major difference is the money, Kenya needs to invest more in its football. In Zambia, players can actually live off just playing football.,’’ he concludes.
Kapansa and his teammates have clearly aroused attention now, with their back- to back victories over two top teams and there is no denying that coach Mbenzo’s charges have a target on their back henceforth as they weather through the first leg of the NSL.
Winning three times, drawing twice and losing just once are Equity Bank, and the newbies have moved up the top half settling amongst the chasing pack- top spot is just within touching distance and perhaps their one match in hand against Soy United can fill this up, who knows.
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