Green Buffaloes Women’s Football Club reclaimed their place at the top of the ZPL Women’s Super League table after grinding out a narrow 1-0 victory over ZISD Women on Thursday, as the title race took another dramatic twist in rescheduled Week 21 and 22 fixtures.
A first-half strike from Thanda Mokgabo proved decisive at the Army-sponsored side’s home ground, lifting Buffaloes to 50 points and restoring a one-point cushion at the summit ahead of ZANACO Ladies, who continued their own impressive run with victory in Lusaka.
It was not a vintage performance from Buffaloes, but it was an effective one. In a contest short on fluency, Buffaloes struck early in the 12th minute when Maweta Chilenga delivered a teasing free-kick into the area and Mokgabo reacted quickest, controlling the ball with her chest before finishing from close range.
That goal ultimately settled a match in which Buffaloes, now without influential midfielder Evarine Susan Katongo following her move to Israeli side Hapoel Raanana Women FC, struggled to impose their usual rhythm. The absence of attacking midfielder Natasha Nanyangwe was also felt, with the Charles Haalubono-coached side appearing disjointed for long spells and squandering several opportunities to put the game beyond ZISD.
Nevertheless, the result was all that mattered. In a season where margins at the top are razor-thin, Buffaloes’ ability to collect maximum points even on an off-day underlined their championship credentials.
Behind them, ZANACO Ladies ensured the pressure at the top remains intense after edging Nkwazi Queens 1-0 at Edwin Imboela Stadium. Thabo Miselo’s 55th-minute strike secured the win for the Bankers, who moved to 49 points and stayed firmly in third place, just one point off the summit.
The victory was all the more impressive given ZANACO were without head coach Florence Mwila and midfielder Blessings Zangose Zulu, both away in Kampala on national duty with the Zambia U-20 Women’s National Team ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Uganda.
Earlier in the day at Nkoloma Stadium, The Elite Ladies bounced back emphatically from last weekend’s heavy defeat to Indeni Roses with a commanding 2-0 win over Red Arrows Women.
Pervis Kangalangala struck inside seven minutes before Faith Kajiya Kapilingo doubled the advantage in the 26th minute, sealing a comfortable victory that lifted The Elite Ladies to 28 points. For Red Arrows, the defeat meant a missed opportunity to climb into fourth place.
