Nkana record first loss after being outclassed by Buffaloes

Nkana record first league loss but stay top

Green Buffaloes outclassed log leaders Nkana FC to win 3 – 1 in a pulsating week 9 FAZ super division match played at Independence stadium.

Fans who packed the historic stadium received their money’s worth as the game offered everything from good football, four goals, two red cards and off the field entertainment from the fans.

Nkana who had not lost a game before this encounter knew they were in for a tough afternoon as Buffaloes were on the front foot right from the start.

The pressure by the army side paid off in the 19th minute when a well curled corner kick by Sebastian Mwansa was turned in by Christopher Munthali in the 16th minute.

Lottie Phiri who was brilliant all afternoon then unleashed a shot from outside the box which beat Scott Ngokene in the Nkana goal only to come off the crossbar.

Christopher Katongo was on hand to shoot an overhead kick from the rebound for Buffaloes to go two goal clear.

A moment of madness from Ngokene saw him step on Steven Kabamba in retaliation and he was given a straight red in the 27th minute.

The sending off incensed the Nkana fans and  the match was stopped for several minutes as Nkana fans threw missiles on to the pitch.

Veteran defender Joseph Musonda was massive in calming down his colleagues and he led his colleague to the Nkana fans to appeal for calm.

Coach Aggrey Chiyangi sacrificed Jacob Ngulube for Charles Mweemba but he also found himself picking the ball from the net after Diamond Chikwekwe cross cum shot tucked in at his far angle.

Moments later in the referee’s optional time, Kabamba was also given marching orders when he conceded a second yellow as he tried to stop a Giully Manziba ran for the two teams to go into the interval a man down each.

Nkana upped their game in the second half but with three goals ahead, Buffaloes were happy to soak the pressure and try to hold on to the ball as much as they could.

Nkana pulled one back in the 55th minute when the referee made a strange decision to award a goal to Nkana after Buffaloes goalkeeper Geofrey Silavwe collected a Maybin Chishimba cross but was pushed over the line by Walter Bwalya mid-air.

The lines man raised his flag for an infringement but strangely started his sprint to the to centre line as if to indicate a goal.

Buffaloes saw out the match and created more chances but impressive Chikwekwe, man of the match Katongo and substitute Felix Sunzu all failed to convert their chance as Nkana threw caution to the wind.

The win sees Buffaloes go fourth while Nkana will maintain first position.

GBFC Starting XI

G Silavwe – J Banda, S Kabamba, B Mfune, A Chama, F Sitonya, S Mwansa, J Chirwa, L Phiri, C Katongo, D Chikwekwe

Nkana Startin XI

S Ngokene (C Mweemba) – J Musonda, M Chishimba, G Sinyangwe, C Munthali, D Malama, G Manziba, J Ngulube, S Musonda, W Bwalya, F Tshimenga

MTN FAZ SUPER LEAGUE RESULTS FOR WEEK NINE

Saturday, May 7

Lusaka Tigers 0-0 Napsa Stars
Green Buffaloes 3-1 Nkana
Power Dynamos 1-0 Nkwazi
Green Eagles 1-0 Forest Rangers
Mufulira Blackpool 1-1 Red Arrows
Kabwe Warriors 1-1 ZESCO United
Nchanga Rangers 1-0 Lumwana Radiants