Eagles fly to the summit, Napsa held by GBFC as Nkana, Lumwana and LD win
The 2019/20 MTN/FAZ Super League entered Week 17 this afternoon and quite a number of interesting results were recorded with a total of 11 goals scored in all the 6 matches played across the country which had 4 victories and 2 draws.
Our featured match came at Woodlands Stadium as NAPSA Stars looked to get back to winning ways and continue with their impressive form of the season equalizing. The Pensioners came from behind twice to force a 2-2 draw at home against a wounded Green Buffaloes.
Gideon Sichone was first to score for the visitors who led 1-nil and just before the break, Simon Nkhata equalized with a beautiful scotcher to level the scores at 1-1.
After the restart, the Pensioners came back a more rejuvenated side but Buffaloes were also equal to the task and just a few minutes into the second half Chipulu Mungule scored but unfortunately his goal was ruled out for offside, but it did not take longer than expected for the Zambia Army-sponsored side to take back the lead as Steven Kabamba benefited from a Rabson Muchelenganga`s parried ball which went direct at him and he rose high heading the ball into an empty net and made it 2-1 for the soldiers much to the delight of the partisan crowd who turned up in numbers to witness the only match in the capital.
Kabamba`s goal was like an eye-opener for the Coach Mohamed Fathi drilled side who from that moment became a force to be reckoned with and had dangerous counter-attacks which paid off as Luka Banda connected with a well-taken cross from Aaron Kabwe with an excellent free header which left Fred Silwamba with no chance in goal who later on kept withering the storm with some delaying tactics trying to absorb the pressure from Napsa.
Robert Musonda was a marvel to watch in the midfield and caused some panic in the middle of the park with his great runs and dribbling skills.
Chipili Mungule and Friday Samu had a decent game but Samu who was so good in the air was unlucky missing a couple of headers which at some point were difficult for Muchelenganga to deal with but he managed to rise to the occasion.
Napsa could have scored more goals with the likes of Bornwell Mwape, Collins Sikombe and second-half substitute Matthews Maleka all missing their fair share of opportunities.
But after all, was done and dusted nothing could separate these two sides as they walked away with a point each as the Pioneers drops from 2nd to 3rd position on the log standings while GBFC remains in 8th place.
Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola hosted a doubleheader with lunchtime kick-off involving Forest Rangers and Green Eagles ending 1-nil in favour of Tonka Tweende as a lone goal by Spencer Sautu was all that mattered as an Eagle found comfort in the Forest which is struggling to maintain its Greener Pasture and moved to the summit of the Super League standings on 33 points at par with Nkana but the Kawale Boys have a superior goal difference.
This match was followed by Buildcon and Nkwazi who shared spoils drawing 1-1. Team Kopala scored first through Eric Owusu but could not hold on to the lead as Micheal Bwalya equalized for High Flying Nkwazi.
At Nakambala Stadium in Mazabuka, the sweet boys failed to utilize their home ground advantage against Lusaka Dynamos as 2 first-half goals from Baba Basile and Aubrey Funga were enough for the Elite Dynamos led by Ian Bakala to walk away with maximum 3 points thanks to a comfortable 2-nil win.
Monga Ndala produced an excellent performance in goal for Dynamos saving Junior Zulu`s Penalty kick coupled with more brilliant saves and left no stone unturned as the scoreline ended 2-0 in favour of the rejuvenated Lusaka dynamos.
Elsewhere in Kitwe, Nkana moved up from 4th to 2nd position on the log standings after they recorded yet another victory in succession this time around edging KYSA 1-nil at Nkana Stadium courtesy of a late Tshimenga goal a result which has pushed Kalampa to the second position with 33 points displacing Napsa Stars who have been held to a 2-2 draw by Green Buffaloes.
There was a similar scoreline at Lumwana Grounds in the North-Western Derby involving Lumwana Radiants and Kansanshi Dynamos, and just like any other case with derbies, it did not produce so many goals as a Chaniza Zulu second-half goal was the major difference between these two sides as the Uranium Boys edged the Mabanga Boys 1-nil.
FULL-TIME SCOREBOARD
MTN/FAZ Super League week 15| Saturday, January 11th
Compiled by the ZamFoot Crew
Green Buffaloes 2-2 Napsa Stars
(G. Sichone 19′, S.Kabamba 53’| S.Nkhata 44′, L.Banda 68′)
Nakambala Leopards 0-2 Lusaka Dynamos
(Baba Basile 4′, Aubrey Funga 40′)
Nkana 1-0 KYSA
(F.S. Tshimenga 81′)
Lumwana Radiants 1-0 Kansanshi Dynamos
(C. Zulu 62′)
Buildcon 1-1 Nkwazi
(E. Owusu 56’| M.Bwalya 74′)
Forest Rangers 0-1 Green Eagles
(S. Sautu 62′)