Musakanya’s beautiful solo goal rescues a point for Arrows

Red Arrows captain Bruce Musakanya produced a moment of magic as he beat three players before scoring to rescue a point for the Airmen in a week seven rescheduled MTN/FAZ Super League encounter played at Nkoloma Stadium on Wednesday.

Arrows came into the match hoping to break into the top four while Zesco United had top spot in their sights with a win taking them to equal point tally with Kabwe Warriors but with a better goal difference.

The match started off on a low note with very few chances created early on. John Ching’andu was out of the match from the on set and hence Lazarus Kambole and Jesse Jackson Were had little or no supply with Joseph Simba keeping Quadri Kola at bay in a fierce heated battle on the wing.

George Lwandamina was forced into an early substitution barely 24minutes into the match after Simon Silwimba was stretched off and in came Zambia U23 national team captain Solomon Sakala.

Andrew Tololwa tried to catch Jacob Banda off guard but his rushed effort went wide. Bruce Musakanya was lively from the on set and was giving problems to the Zesco United defenders.

George Simbayambaya tried a long range drive but Jacob Banda pushed pushed out the goal bound shot for a corner. The first half ended with the two teams level at one all.

Coach Chisi Mbewe made an early substitution in the second stanza bringing on 2012 AFCON winner James Chamanga and withdrawing Tololwa. Zesco United came back a better side than they were in the first half.

Twelve minutes into the second half Jesse Were was brought just outside the box . Were quickly dusted himself up and took the free kick sending it in with the help of a deflection to take Zesco United into the lead.

The lead only lasted only for eleven minutes as Bruce Msakanya went on a solo run beating three defenders before riffling a shot past Jacob Banda to draw Arrows level.

Lwandamina withdrew John Ching’andu and Quadri Kola and brought in Kosuke Nakamachi and Rahim Osumani. The Japanese midfielder, Kosuke was an instant hit with the fans as he impressed with his brilliant passing but could not help Zesco United find a winning goal, The two sides settled for a point each.

Zesco United have now moved to third place leapfrogging Lusaka dynamos with a game in hand.

Zesco United starting XI

Jacob Banda, Simon Silwimba (Solomon Sakala),Mwila Phiri, Clement Mwape, Marcel Kalonda, Kondwani Mtonga, Anthony Akumu, Quadri Kola (Rahim Osumanu), Jesse Jackson Were, John Ching’andu (Kosuke Nakamachi), Lazarus Kambole

Red Arrows Starting XI

Ian Otieno, Benedict Chepesshi, Joseph Zimba, Elvis Bissong, Bronson Chama, Paul Katema, George Simbayambaya, Sadam Yussuf Phiri (Daniel Sibanda), Stanley Nshimbi, Andrew Tololwa (James Chamanga), Bruce Musakanya