By KALUMIANA KALUMIANA At Nkana Stadium –
Nkana 1 Rangers 2
NCHANGA Rangers yesterday came from a goal down to beat their hosts Nkana to end their three-match losing streak against the champions in an exciting MTN/FAZ Premier League Week 25 encounter.
Nkana took the lead in the eighth minute through a Festus Mbewe header to redeem himself having blasted a sitter over the bar six minutes earlier. Rangers equalised in the 45th minute through an Aubrey Chamulwanda free kick to see the two sides 1-all into halftime.
The second period was littered with close haves from both sides. Nchanga midfielder Spencer Ngalande shot was saved in the 52nd minute by Nkana goalkeeper Rabson Muchelenganga.
Nkana then missed two great opportunities initially Shadrick Musonda’s header was parried by Jarios Mulenga in the 65th minute while Kelvin Mubanga’s free kick came off the woodwork in the 76th minute.
Nchanga sealed their win in the 85th minute when Patrick Kabamba headed-in Larry Bwalya’s cross. The win was Nchanga’s first over Nkana since September 20, 2011 when they beat them 1-nil in Chingola.
Zanaco 0 Mine Police 0
Leaders Zanaco were held at home by struggling Konkola Mine Police but still kept their top slot on the table, thanks to second placed Power Dynamos failing to win at Green Eagles.
In this game of several missed chances, Mine Police impressed the crowd with their play of building from the back and their one point from this match was well deserved.
While Zanaco will be comforted that they still kept their top position with 51 points, one better than second placed Power, they were left worried that the initiative had been handed to Zesco United, who won away at Konkola Blades.
Zesco moved within two points of the bankers and brandishing a game in hand, which if they win, can take them top with a point better.
Eagles 0 Power 0
Power missed out on the chance to go top of the table following a barren draw away to middle table Green Eagles at the Independence Stadium in Choma, reports NCHIMUNYA MUGANYA.
Power moved to 50 points while Eagles, who have had good results against big guns at home, are now on 30 points.
Blades 0 Zesco 1
Zesco stayed a close third after beating host Konkola Blades away at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe. Striker Winston Kalengo scored the game lone goal in the 23rd minute.
Napsa 2 Buffaloes 1
At Woodlands Stadium, SHAMAOMA MUSONDA reports that Napsa Stars jumped back into fourth place on the table after this hard fought win over a Green Buffaloes side that also had defender Gift Wamundila sent off deep into injury time for a second yellow card.
This equally contested match saw Napsa going ahead after just five minutes when Saith Sakala struck from close range after Buffaloes goalie Edson Phiri spilled the ball in the box in what was the home side only attack in the first half.
Under-20 international Saith Sakala was at the heart of the second goal dribbling past Wamundila before he laid a pass for Brian Lubaba who struck in the 60th minute and Buffaloes’ impressive game looked to get a lifeline when Napsa’s goalie scot Ngokena parried Wamundila’s cross into his own goal on 71 minutes.
This result sees Napsa reclaim fourth spot with 44 points, two better than Nkana while Buffaloes stay a fraction above the relegation zone with 28 points.
Assembly 0 Arrows 1
Red Arrows survival crusade picked up momentum after this win in a lunchtime kick-off at Woodlands Stadium which left National Assembly coach George Kapembwa distraught following the defeat courtesy a second half penalty.
Needing to regain confidence after a string of losses and red cards, Assembly’s cause was dealt a blow in the 50th minute when captain Chanda Mubanga handled inside the box and veteran striker Adubelo Phiri dispatched the spot kick expertly with his first touch of the ball.
The win lifts Arrows to 26 points, just a point off Assembly and relegation safety spot
Coach Kapembwa was seething that his team had conceded a third straight penalty but while he may have a point, yesterday’s downfall was that he used midfielders as defenders to fill in the backline who are all on red card.
Nakambala 2 Indeni 0
From Mazabuka, goals from Moses Siyanda and Bernard Simakwezi were enough to hand Nakambala Leopards victory that lifted them up the table to 31 points while Indeni remained in the relegation zone, reports JIM FIKOLOMA.
Simakwezi gave Nakambala the lead in the 20th minute after a good inter-charge of passes with Signs Chibambo before Siyanda sealed the victory in the 65th minute in a match that saw the two sides squander scoring opportunities.
Roan 0 Warriors 0
At Nkana Stadium, Roan were held to a draw by Kabwe Warriors to remain bottom of the log on 17 points while the railwaymen went up to 30 points.