Alex Ng’onga scored a brace as Nkana recorded a 2 – 0 win over Buildcon in a matchday 33 league fixture played at Nkana Stadium this afternoon.
‘Bazo’ struck twice, with his first goal coming in the 35th minute and the second goal in the 61st minute to boost Nkana’s relegation survival hopes.
Speaking after the match, Nkana coach, Beston Chambeshi expressed his relief and satisfaction with the result.
“At least we are picking points. And I am happy we are moving in the right direction,” he said.
“You can see the players, even the technical bench, we are all looking forward to making sure we survive,” Chambeshi added. “And for sure the boys put up a good fight.”
Chambeshi went on to heap praise on the performance of Malunga, in goal, and Alex Ng’onga.
“I am happy with the goalkeeper [Malunga], he did his best, which is good for the team,” he said. “And the two-goal hero, Ng’onga, at least he [Ng’onga] has added value in the team.
Chambeshi continued, “When you buy a player, you have to buy someone who can add value to the team. And I am happy with Exo [Nkana Executive committe] for what they have done for the team about Ng’onga.”
The Nkana steward closed by stating that today’s result was a morale booster going into the must-win season-closing fixture away to NAPSA Stars next Sunday.
On the other hand, Buildcon’s coach, Dabid Chilufya lamented suffering a second successive defeat.
“We are coming from a loss. Today’s performance was much better than our performance in the Nkwazi game, “he assessed.
“But again, if there is some frustration around, it was just a mind game this one,” he stressed. “The one that had a big mind, they have gotten the game [win].”
“Our players somehow came a bit down because of what was happening around [the tension due to the high stakes of the match – a top-four finish for Buildcon and Nkana’s relegation battle],” Chilufya added.
“But we are safe. We are not going to look down. We are going to finish the last game and then close the season.”
On missing an opportunity to cement a place in next season’s continental football, Chilufya bemoaned the missed goal-scoring opportunities.
“We had a lot of chances to score in this game. But we didn’t score. And this what has made us not to get in the ‘Top Four’, which we wanted.”
Chilufya closed by remarking that it is not the end of the world and Buildcon would carry on next season.
Next for Buildcon is the season closing fixture against League Champions, ZESCO United next Sunday with a fourth-place finish still mathematically possible.
Congrats…aba Red… for winning the game.
Kudos to All the players and ensure you go and clobber Napsa stars next Sunday
Its because of you Perry that we are not playing continental football simply by ukupata umwaiche Bazo.