. Kola

By ELIAS CHIPEPO –
ZAMBIAN striker Rodger Kola scored probably one of the fastest goals in the Israeli Premier League to help his side Ironi Kiryat Shmona beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1 on Monday night.
Kiryat Shmona got off to a blinding start with Kola putting the hosts in front with his header just after 47 seconds following Carlos Garcia’s failure to clear the danger allowing the Zambian to score with a looping header past goalkeeper Barak Levy.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Rade Prica squandered a superb opportunity to equalise after just five minutes with Zahavi also hitting the crossbar five minutes from the interval.
Roei Kehat doubled the lead in the 81st minute while Maccabi scored a consolation through an Eran Zahavi’s penalty in the 90th minute. This was Kola’s fourth goal in nine games.
This Week Nine match saw Kiryat Shmona maintain top slot with 23 points to open up a five-point lead over second placed Hapoel Be’er Sheva while two-time defending champions Maccabi remained in third place with 16 points.
In England, Chipolopolo striker Emmanuel Mayuka still failed to make the starting 11 for Southampton as he came in as a 79th minute substitute replacing Sadio Mané as his side snatched a 1-all draw away at Aston Villa.
Mayuka was introduced into the match with his side trailing 1-0 thanks to a Gabriel Agbonlahor first half goal but Nathaniel Clyne ensured spoils were shared with a 90th minute strike as Southampton winning streak came to an end.
The former Young Boys striker is still finding it difficult to command a starting place in the Saints team despite enjoying some good playing time with the Chipolopolo under coach Honour Janza.
Ex-Zesco United midfielder Khondwani Mtonga was on target for Northeast who were beaten 2-1 by Delhi in the Indian Super League. This was the second goal for Mtonga who plays for the same team with former Chipolopolo Africa Cup winner Isaac Chansa.