ZAMBIAN defender Chinga Chitoshi’s punishing program has seen him lose some massive kilograms ahead of the Premiership with CAPS United.

Over the past two months, the former Nkana Red Devils player has shed over eight kilos as he works to carry optimum weight that will enable him to perform well.

He joined Makepekepe in the mid-season transfer period last year and helped them survive relegation.

But there were always concerns about his agility and speed given his mass.

He acknowledges that and credits the technical department for giving him a special program to follow.

Chitoshi now looks lighter and he never sat a foot wrong in double-header friendlies in which he featured for CAPS United in their ongoing pre-season camp in Malawi against Silver Strikers.

But his Body Mass Index is not the only thing that makes him happy for the club right now.

He said the diversity in the squad can bring different experiences which can work wonders for the Green Machine.

Makepekepe have players and officials from different backgrounds given others are foreigners while some are coming from academy systems in Europe.

Rather than bringing discord, Chitoshi reckons the difference in backgrounds can help bring the squad together.

The Green Machine have two of the technical staff members who are from Zambia including first assistant coach Ian Bakala.

They also have two Malawian players Lloyd Njaliwa and Chawanangwa Kaonga while second assistant coach and ex-Flames international Joseph Kamwendo is also from the same country.

Rookie Kennedy Mpomba grew up in England playing for West Ham United Academy.

And the rest of the squad came from different directions with some coming along with coach Takesure Chiragwi from Ngezi Platinum Stars while others arrived from teams like FC Platinum, Manica Diamonds and Herentals.

“It is amazing because it brings different experiences and some have been playing for the national team and continental club competitions so it brings quite a good experience,” said Chitoshi.

“I think coming to me as an individual I think a lot has changed since the arrival of the new coach mentally and how everything has been.

“I think a lot has changed and improved and coming to the club also the club is having new ambitions on the arrival of the new coach.

“We have new ambitions of what we want to achieve this season and how we are going to take things this season so there’s quite a number of changes and positive ones so to say in working towards that.”

Chitoshi said CAPS United’s bonding exercise in Malawi is the way to go as it has opened the players’ eyes.

“It is important because we have a new level of players so we want to bond and get to understand each other on a personal level and also when it comes to just the combinations in the field of play,” added Chitoshi.

“The season is about to start and this bonding exercise is the way to go.

“I’m really happy about the progress because you know there are targets that you get to set.”

Chitoshi, who has once played for Zambia’s Chipolopolo at COSAFA is keen to make a breakthrough into the regular national team.

And he knows it comes with putting in the work at a giant like CAPS United.