• NAPSA Stars defender Boyd Mkandawire (left) and Nchanga Rangers striker Patson Daka vie for an aerial ball during their MTN/FAZ Week 9 match played at Woodlands stadium in Lusaka on Saturday. Napsa Stars won 2 – 0. Picture by CLEVER ZULU.
By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE
Roan United Roan 0 Arrows 1 (Abandoned)-
KABWE based referee Kendrick Chasaya was yesterday forced to abandon the MTN-FAZ Premier League Week Nine match between Roan United and Red Arrows after the home fans started throwing stones.
With three of the eight additional minutes already played, the home fans started throwing stones and objects on the pitch upon realising that their team was about to lose its sixth match of campaign.
The match played at Kafubu Stadium in Luanshya saw the fans, who out-numbered police officers, follow the Arrows’ contingent that had quickly been rushed to their bus for safety and continued throwing stones at the visiting team.
Players Shadreck Malambo and Joseph Zimba in the process sustained head injuries while the team bus had two windows shuttered. The Airmen had to travel to Ndola where they were lodging under riot police escort.
During the game, veteran striker Adubelo Phiri headed in a solitary goal in the 47th minute to ensure Red Arrows collected the maximum points off a struggling Roan side.
Eagles 3 Zesco 1
At Independence Stadium in Choma, Nchimunya Muganya reports that struggling Green Eagles stunned title chasing Zesco United to record their first win of the campaign and hand their visitors first loss of the season. Eagles moved to seven points with Zesco on 18 points.
Paul Malama gave Eagles the lead in the sixth minute before getting his brace in the 20th minute as the home fans went into wild celebrations, while the visitors could not believe what had hit them.
As Zesco pushed for a goal to the reduce the deficit before half-time, Eagles struck in the 35th minute through a well executed Mateyo Ndashe free-kick and the Ndola side got a face saver in the 81st minute through a Mwape Mwelwa goal.
Nakambala 0 Warriors 1
In Mazabuka, JIM FIKOLOMA reports that a Brian Mwila goal was enough for Warriors to collect full points of the season but remain bottom of the log with five points, while Nakambala Leopards are just two points above the railwaymen.
Mwila scored from a goal melee in the 65th minute as Nakambala were left to rue their several missed scoring opportunities wasted by striker Abraham Masiye.
Assembly 0 Power 0
AT Woodlands Stadium,
SHAMAOMA MUSONDA reports that Power recorded their fourth consecutive draw which was however enough to see the Kitwe side maintain top slot in an an exciting match that did not disappoint fans.
In a game played at high tempo from start to finish, National Assembly showed no signs of a team that came from Division-One and had the six-time Zambian league champions living on a knife-edge with fast passed play and well knitted upward surge.
Assembly captain Timothy Mbewe was the star of the show playing with energy and skill throughout and twice missed two chances and shot at goal on sight while Power themselves saw Kennedy Mudenda and Julius Situmbeko miss from close range.
Napsa 2 Nchanga 0
NAPSA Stars recorded a convincing win over the 1998 Zambian champions, Nchanga Rangers, to ascertain themselves as challengers for the title after moving into second place on the log with 18 points.
While the Fighton Simukonda coaching bench can claim that the first goal the midlands side netted was gifted, there is no arguing that the win was deserved as two second half goals confirmed Rangers troubles this season.
White Mwansabamba slotted coolly from the spot after a dubious penalty was awarded in the 61st minute but Rangers striker Bornwell Mwape, with a chance to level matters, struck the cross bar when his side was also handed a penalty before he was immediately substituted.
Saith Sakala doubled Napsa’s advantage heading in a Clarence Bellington cross in the 76th minute as Rangers remained stuck on eight points after their fifth defeat of the season.
Blades 2 Buffalos 1
BILTON Musonda began his reign as Green Buffalos interim coach with a disappointing defeat at the hands of ‘Sharp’ Konkola Blades in Chililabombwe having taken a lead through Felix Katongo in the 41 minute.
But in form striker Elson Mkandawire equalised eight minutes into the second half before completing his brace in the 78th minute to seal victory for the home team as Blades moved to 15 points while Buffalos remained stuck on 10 points.
