NAPSA Stars on Saturday won their second ABSA Cup following a 1-0 win over MTN Super League Champions, Red Arrows.
Chaniza Zulu scored the only goal of the game in the second half to seal a well deserved win for the Pensioners.
NAPSA Stars came into the match as underdogs but they were the first to threaten Musonda Kapembwa with a shot inside the area only for Charles Kalumba to deal with it easily.
The first half saw little goal mouth action with Kapembwa’s threat thwarted by the Arrows defense while Kapila’s effort went wide, 0-0 the match went to the break.
The Pensioners took the lead 13 minutes into the second stanza as Chaniza Zulu hit a perfect volley outside the area to beat Kalumba following a failed corner clearance by the Airmen.
Chisi Mbewe reacted with changes bringing on Kayembe Alidor, James Chamanga and George Mandu for Ricky Banda, Joseph Phiri and Alassane Diarra.
The Pensioners held on to win the match 1-0 despite a late challenge from the Airmen to win the title, their second having won it in 2012 as the Barclays Cup.
Midfielder Chaniza Zulu was named as the man of the match walking away with a K15,000 prize.
The Player of the tournament went to Red Arrows skipper Benedict Chepeshi who walked away with K25,000 while the coach of the tournament accolade went to NAPSA Stars’ Perry ‘Bebeto’ Mutapa who also walked way with K25,000.
The Pensioners are K650,000 richer after winning the tournament while Red Arrows walk away with K300,000.
Chisi Mbewe felt his team played well but it was not just their day. He also went on to say that NAPSA knew their strength hence frustrating them easily.
“We played well, We were just unlucky. NAPSA Stars knew our strength and tried to frustrate us which resulted in an injury for Alassane Diarra,” he said.
Mutapa on the other hand gave all the praise to his players for a brilliant showing on the day.
“A very difficult match considering that Red Arrows are the best team at the moment, But we had a plan and congratulations to the boys,” he said.
“The most important thing is that we closed , Chepeshi, Prosper, Diarra was nowhere to be seen, it’s all down to the boys,” he added.
Full Time, NAPSA Stars 1-0 Red Arrows
(Chaniza Zulu 58′)
NAPSA STARS XI : 32. Rodwell Mukwayna, 04. Gift Zulu, 18. Bournwell Silengo (Luka Ng’uni 73′), 23. Luka Banda, 05. David Odhiambo, 25. Thomas Banda (Jimmy Mukeya 73′), 24. Keegan Zulu, 20. Sydney Kalume, 22. David Adoko, 09. Musonda Kapembwa (Doisy Soko 87′), 29. Chaniza Zulu (Chanda Mushili 80′)
SUBSTITUTES: 01. Phillip Banda, 10. Enock Sabunkama, 17. Felix Banda,
RED ARROWS XI : 16, Charles Kalumba, 32. Benedict Chepeshi, 13. Prosper Chiluya, 5. Tresor Tshibwabwa, 15. Allan Kapila, 18. George Simbayambaya, 34. Saddam Yusuf Phiri (Joseph ‘Sabobo’ Banda 86′) , 8. Allassanie Diarra (George Mandu 59′), 28. Ricky Banda (Kayembe Alidor 61′), 10. Joseph Phiri (James Chamanga 59′), 20. Freddy Tshimenga
SUBSTITUTES: 31. Kenny Mumba, 26. Nickson Mubili, 21. Edward Tembo,
