Persikotas Nusantara and the bold promotion promise in their debut season: Ambition meets the stadium dilemma

On September 6, 2026, during a direct meeting with the Tasik City Society supporters group, Persikotas Nusantara chairman Ecep Suwardaniyasa declared that the club's target for its debut season in Liga 3 Nusantara 2026/2027 is to earn promotion to Liga 2. That statement created excitement, but also raised big questions about the readiness of a newly transformed club that does not yet have a true home stadium and has only ten experienced players in a planned thirty-man squad. Persikotas Nusantara is not a direct continuation of Persikotas FC, the club currently competing in Liga 4. In reality, the team was formed through the acquisition and transformation of Nusantara Lampung FC. Therefore, their story is not just about a new club entering the third tier; it is about an organisation trying to rebuild its own identity in a city where another club with the same name already exists. The coexistence of two Persikotas teams in Tasikmalaya creates a complex local football picture, which could lead to emotional local derbies in the future. The management has started building the squad early. According to information shared at the meeting, the club has recruited 25 players and aims to complete a 30-man roster before the season begins. The structure is notable: ten senior players, fifteen U-23 players, and five U-20 players. This is not a squad built by rushing to sign experienced stars, but a deliberate mix of maturity and youth. From a development perspective, this is a positive signal: the club is trying to create a pathway for young players to grow through competitive football. However, for a club targeting immediate promotion, this structure carries hidden weaknesses. Having only ten senior players in a thirty-man squad is thin when entering a demanding competition like Liga 3 Nusantara. Squad depth can become an issue when fixtures pile up, injuries occur, or the team needs the composure that only experienced players can provide. Setting a promotion goal with such a young squad is ambitious, but it also demands great patience and man-management skills from the coaching staff. In organisational terms, Persikotas Nusantara is working with Dejan FC to strengthen the team structure. The partnership aims to improve tactical organisation and general management, an important factor for a club in transition. Although no head coach has been officially announced, the management has planned an intensive two-month preparation period. This window is seen as crucial for integrating new players, testing tactical ideas, and building a stable core before official matches start. Friendly matches are planned in Tasikmalaya, Ciamis or Banjar. Their stated goal is to test the attacking and defensive schemes being built. This is a sensible step for a new team. Instead of entering the competition with untested tactical plans, Persikotas Nusantara appear to want useful data from pre-season, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and making adjustments. These trial matches may not yield trophies, but they provide enormous information value. The biggest issue currently is not personnel, but the stadium. Wira Dadaha Stadium is not yet fully suitable for organising Liga 3 Nusantara matches. The club management is considering using stadiums in Banjar or Ciamis if the competition enforces a home-and-away format. In parallel, the club is preparing an official cooperation mechanism with the Tasikmalaya city government to repair and professionally manage Wira Dadaha in the long term. This proactive step also reveals a tough reality: the club does not yet have a stable home before the season begins. The stadium problem is not purely logistical. The venue affects competitive advantage, ticket revenue, and fan engagement. If Persikotas Nusantara have to play in another city while the older Persikotas team remains in Tasikmalaya, attracting local spectators becomes harder. Fans might have to choose between two teams carrying the same name, or worse, turn away from both if they do not perceive clear direction. Therefore, obtaining city government approval to use Wira Dadaha early is crucial for building community trust. From a tactical viewpoint, there is little data to evaluate the true strength of Persikotas Nusantara at this stage. No official matches have been played, and analysis is based on plans, statements, and intentions. Nevertheless, chairman Ecep Suwardaniyasa's statement feels very grounded. He used the phrase “realistic target” when speaking about promotion, a phrasing that balances ambition with actual capability. This can be a motivational lever for young players while also reducing pressure on the management if results fall short. One encouraging sign is the club’s decision to communicate directly with fans. Announcing the target before Tasik City Society, a loyal supporters group, shows the management is not building the club's image in an ivory tower. Instead, they are including supporters in the journey. This is a smart way to create early consensus, although it also carries risk: if the team fails to achieve promotion, this public promise may become a burden. In the context of the league itself, Liga 3 Nusantara groups clubs from various regions with uneven quality and resources. A newly transformed side like Persikotas Nusantara will not immediately be considered a favourite. However, signing 25 players in a short period and planning two months of training shows they are not just making up the numbers. The promotion target is a strong declaration of intent, setting a clear standard for the whole organisation. Existing risks cannot be ignored. A squad dominated by young players may struggle in tight matches where experience and composure matter most. U-23 and U-20 players can bring energy and hunger, but they lack the consistency and pressure management that only time can build. If the coaching staff lacks a strong backup plan, relying on young players could become a decisive weakness in the promotion race. The club’s origin as a transformed Nusantara Lampung FC also deserves attention. Acquiring and transforming a club means more than just changing names. It involves inheriting contracts, staff, facilities, and possible hidden debts. Although no financial problems have been publicly mentioned, hidden risks may exist and can affect long-term stability. Therefore, beyond match results, observers should track how the club manages administration, finance, and human resources. Another notable aspect is the impact of a new club on the local football ecosystem. If Persikotas Nusantara provide a clear pathway for young local talents, the grassroots system could benefit. But it is too early to judge. At this stage, the priority is resolving the stadium issue and stabilising the squad ahead of the first matches. During the regular season, Persikotas Nusantara's approach offers an interesting example of how a new club builds strategy. They are not making a huge fuss in the transfer market, not signing explosive names, but focusing on building a balanced group. They are not hiding ambition from fans, and that transparency creates trust. At the same time, it adds positive pressure for everyone to work harder. In the end, the 2026/2027 season will be the ultimate test for Persikotas Nusantara. Every declaration, recruitment plan, and training session will only matter when the team steps onto the pitch against real opponents. Can ten senior players guide twenty young players through a long season? Can a club without a fixed home stadium create the required competitive edge? These questions can only be answered with concrete results on the field. For a team called Persikotas Nusantara, the road ahead is far from smooth, but those same challenges will define the identity of a club eager to rise from its foundations.