Lusaka Provincial D1: Young Buffaloes go top, Misisi finally concede as Shamuel and Young Zanaco share spoils
Riflemen make potholes on Misisi goal mouth, Young Buffaloes overthrow Misisi on top and Paramilitary recording back-to-back win are some of the talking points as the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Lusaka Provincial Division One entered week 16 of action.
Former Green Buffaloes player Ashford Kalusa’s first-half goal brought to an end Lloyd Mwansa’s 7 consecutive games clean sheets record over the weekend. Misisi Youth Soccer Academy went 7 straight games without conceding a goal in the opening fixtures of the Lusaka Province Division 1 League.
Riflemen become the first team to score against the Misisi side. Riflemen went ahead through Kalusa’s goal finishing the first half on the positive side for the Army-sponsored side in a match played in a difficult environment slippery pitch with mud after a downpour of rains in the area.
In the second half, Gabriel Banda scored a quick brace to level maters and give the home side a slender lead. This is the first game also Misisi are scoring more than 1 goal in a single match. Riflemen came back to level matters with David Chikake’s goal to pick up a point away to Misisi. 2 all draw it ended for Misisi Youth Soccer Academy and Riflemen at Katwishi ground.
Coming from a defeat against Sable Bulls in the week 15 fixture, Airport Warriors were in a similar situation again, this time it was a 2-1 home defeat to visitors Paramilitary. Airport defender Chalwe “Sunzu” Zawe’s goal wasn’t enough to overcome Paramilitary who walked away victors thanks to a brace by Allan Bwalya. This was Paramilitary’s second win of the season after beating Irwin Rangers 3-1 in a week 15 fixture at Miller grounds.
After coming from a 7-0 and a 3-1 defeat in weeks 14 and 15 respectively, Irwin Rangers came out smiling this weekend with a 1-0 win over struggling and bottom-placed Romeki who recorded their 6th loss of the season and still stuck at the bottom of the table with 2 points.
Young Green Buffaloes’ first-half goal through Joseph Yubia Mubita was enough to give them a 1-0 win at Independence Stadium against Sable Bulls. A win for Young Buffaloes sends them to the top of the table with 16 points joint with Misisi who are second, but Young Buffaloes enjoy the superior goal difference while Sable Bulls closes the top 10 brackets with 11 points.
Former Zanaco midfielder Richard Kasonde captained the Shamuel Academy side that played to a goalless draw against his former employer’s developmental team Young Zanaco. A draw for Shamuel keeps them in third place with 14 points, 2 behind leaders Young Buffaloes.
For the Young Zanaco side, a point away from home helped them move one step up just above the relegation zone with 3 points. The Young bankers continue to struggle to find winning ways.
Lusaka City Council’s unbeaten run continues this time around it was 1 all-draw against Vector FC.
Chongwe United’s 3-2 loss at home against Happy Hearts is something the fans are more worried about as their team of choice is now just 2 points above the relegation zone with some of their fans suggesting the venue is not favorable for the team may be a change from Chongwe Secondary School Ground to Chongwe Primary School Ground can turn things around for the team.
Happy Hearts’ win means a lot as the team is now pushing to the middle of the table.
Starting a season with 3 straight defeats, Young Napsa has organized themselves and found a winning formula. This time around it was Rodger Shakami and Kenani Phiri’s goals that sent back Kabwata Dynamos into the relegation zone after coming out for just one week. Kabwata Dynamos scored a consolation goal through Lawrence Munshya Lubinda.
Athletico Lusaka and Chainda Bombers were out of action as their match was postponed following Athletico Lusaka’s 8 players contribution to the Under 17 National team who will be competing in the 2017 Total U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The full-time results from week 16 are as follows;
Airport Warriors 1-2 Paramilitary
Irwin Rangers 1-0 Romeki
Young Green Buffaloes 1-0 Sable Bulls
Shamuel Academy 0-0 Young Zanaco
Misisi Youth Soccer Academy 2-2 Riflemen
Lusaka City Council 1-1 Vector
Chongwe United 2-3 Happy Hearts
Young Napsa 2-1 Kabwata Dynamos
Athletico Lusaka Vs Chainda Bombers (Postponed)