By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
LEADERSHIP of the FAZ Division One North exchanged hands for the umpteenth time after ‘Mighty’ Mufulira Wanderers suffered defeat to Chambishi, allowing Kalulushi Modern Stars to reclaim top slot as promotion to the elite league heats up.
In the southern zone, the race to win promotion remained open after leaders Nkwazi were held to a draw to maintain a one point lead over Lusaka Dynamos and Luena Buffaloes, who are tied on 41 points after the Week 21 games played at the weekend.
Premium 0 Kalulushi 1
A Moses Nyambe’s 42nd minute strike was all Kalulushi needed to move back to the top of the table on 37 points after beating Premium Sport in a tightly contested match played in Ndola.
Wanderers 2 Chambishi 3
Chambishi boosted their hopes of earning promotion to the top flight thanks to a convincing victory over Wanderers at Shinde Stadium in Mufulira.
Striker Desmond Kamocha opened the scores after 20 minutes before Happy Kaunda added a second just before the break a two-goal cushion going into the break. Kamocha completed his brace after restart before Brian Hambungeni and Jacob Ngulube struck back late but the goals were not enough to destroy Chambishi’s party.
Chambishi are just a point behind leaders Kalulushi while Wanderers, who are stuck on 35 points, dropped into third place and were joined by Forest Rangers who edged Mining Rangers 1-0 at Dola Hill Stadium in Ndola.
Elsewhere, Ndola United is yet to win a game since the resumption of the second half of the season as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Nkwiza while Lime Hotspurs beat Grinaker 1-0. Gomes also snatched three points away at Chindwin Sentries.
Kansanshi Dynamos and Kitwe United played for a barren draw and the case was the same in the match involving Zesco Luapula and FQMO Mining. Lumwana drew 1-all with Blackpool.
Tigers 1 Nkwazi 1
Nkwazi were held to 1-all draw by Lusaka Tigers but it was enough to see them maintain top slot on 42 points. Lusaka Dynamos missed an opportunity to go top of the table after a 1-all draw against Riflemen to remain 41 points as Luena Buffaloes also suffered a setback losing 2-1 to Malaiti Rangers to drop into third on goal difference but on 41 points.
Other games saw Livingstone Pirates emerge 1-0 winners over Petauke United and Prison Leopards beat off Lusaka City Council (LCC) with an identical score line while City of Lusaka shocked Zesco Shockers with a 3-0.
Kafue Celtics record a 2-0 win over Nampundwe while the game between Paramilitary and Chipata Young Stars was not played.