Charles Zulu’s second-half strike sends Kalampa top of Stream A despite Michael Chapota’s dismissal, while Lewis Kasono’s 92nd-minute equaliser rescues a point for MUZA against ten-man Zanaco as Nkwazi finally break their duck in Stream B.
Nkana FC have returned to the top of Stream A after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kansanshi Dynamos at Nkana Stadium on Wednesday.
Kalampa claimed all three points courtesy of Charles Zulu’s second-half strike to move to 13 points, one clear of FC MUZA and Konkola Blades in the MTN Super League Transitional Season standings.
The midfielder proved the difference with a decisive finish in the 52nd minute, seven minutes after the restart, extending Nkana’s perfect home record this season.
The hosts had enjoyed the better opportunities in a frustrating first half but struggled to find the breakthrough. Lazarous Kambole headed wide from a Leonard Makonga cross in the third minute before Zulu’s sixth-minute free-kick was kept out by goalkeeper Gwazani Banda.
Kedrick Mumba also fired over in the 20th minute after being set up by Kambole, while Kansanshi threatened through Bebby Musangala in the 35th minute as the sides went into the interval goalless.
Nkana eventually found their breakthrough through Zulu, but the hosts were forced to dig deep after Michael Chapota received his second yellow card and was sent off in the 80th minute.
Jackson Kampamba had earlier missed an opportunity to extend the lead, shooting wide in the 65th minute after being teed up by Zulu.
Despite playing the closing stages with ten men, Nkana held firm through six minutes of added time to secure their fourth league victory of the campaign.
The win takes Kalampa to 13 points from six matches, with four wins, one draw and one defeat. They have scored eight goals and conceded three, giving them a goal difference of +5.
Nkana now turn their attention to Sunday’s rescheduled Week Three encounter against NAPSA Stars at REIZ Arena.
Ten-man Zanaco denied by Kasono’s late drama
At Sunset Stadium, FC MUZA produced a late comeback to snatch a 2-2 draw against Zanaco FC in one of Wednesday’s most dramatic encounters.
Zanaco made a bright start and took the lead in the 12th minute when Kiala Wa Kiala scrambled home from close range.
However, the Bankers’ afternoon took a difficult turn eight minutes later when goalkeeper Francis Mwansa was shown a straight red card in the 20th minute.
Coach Lameck Siame was forced into an early change, introducing goalkeeper Siame for Idana Chimwemwe to provide cover between the posts.
MUZA capitalised on their numerical advantage and drew level in the 30th minute through Tobias Chungu, who converted Francis Mashingini’s well-delivered corner.
Despite being reduced to ten men, Zanaco regained the lead in the 57th minute when Dominic Kanda found the net, putting the hosts on course for a valuable victory.
But MUZA refused to give up and were rewarded deep into stoppage time when Lewis Kasono struck in the 92nd minute to rescue a point and deny Zanaco.
The result leaves MUZA second in Stream A on 12 points from six matches, maintaining their unbeaten start with three wins and three draws.
Zanaco remain fourth on 11 points, just one behind the playoff positions. The Bankers have scored 12 goals, the highest tally in Stream A, but have now drawn two of their last three matches.
Konkola Blades remain third on 12 points from five matches, with a game in hand over both Nkana and MUZA.
Nkwazi end winless run as Arrows suffer first defeat
In Stream B, Nkwazi FC finally recorded their first victory of the transitional campaign, ending Red Arrows’ unbeaten start with a 1-0 away win at Nkoloma Stadium.
George Ndhlovu was the match-winner, producing a superb finish in the 32nd minute after being picked out by Andrew Mwape.
The result lifts Nkwazi to fifth place on seven points from six matches, having recorded one win, four draws and one defeat.
Remarkably, the Police-sponsored side have conceded just two goals in six outings, boasting one of the division’s strongest defensive records alongside Green Eagles and Green Buffaloes.
For Red Arrows, the defeat represents their first setback of the campaign. They drop to eighth on five points from four matches, although they have two games in hand on the teams above them.
Elsewhere in Stream B, Kabwe Warriors and Roan United shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Railway Stadium.
Quadri Kola put Warriors ahead in the 32nd minute before Blessed Musamvu restored parity for Roan on the hour mark.
The draw leaves both sides on six points, with Kabwe sixth on goal difference and Roan seventh.
At the summit, Green Eagles remain top on 11 points from five matches, ahead of second-placed Green Buffaloes on goal difference. ZESCO United occupy third place on nine points.
At the other end of the standings, Makeni All Stars and Nchanga Rangers remain in the relegation positions in Stream A with one and four points respectively.
Mufulira Wanderers and Mutondo Stars occupy the bottom two places in Stream B on two and one point respectively.
