Week One rescheduled matches yesterday (Wednesday) the defending Champions Zesco United maintain their 100% winning start to the season after humbling Nakambala Leopards by two-goals to nil while Nkana came from behind to beat Napsa Stars 3-1 recording their first win of the the season.
ZESCO UNITED 2-0 NAKAMBALA
ZESCO United maintained their perfect start to the Super League transition season in Stream A with a 2-0 score line over Nakambala Leopards in Ndola.
Zega Mambo made it two out of two wins after edging Green Buffaloes 1-0 in their opening fixture a week ago at Edwin Imboela Stadium. Nakambala came into the encounter without a win at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Zesco started on a strong note when Nigerian international Quadri Kola found the back of the net in the 7th minute. Kola benefited from a Jesse Were perfect pass to pounce on the Nakambala defense registering his first ever Zambia Super League goal.
Eight minutes later, goal scorer turned provider when he set Jesse Were through, only for the Kenyan striker to hit a powerful header past the Nakambala goalkeeper for the second goal for the home team in the 16th minute.
Zesco United continued to push for more goals in the first half. Moments before halftime Lazarous Kambole was brought down in the box after beating the last man in the Nakambala defense and the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty. Were stepped up to take the penalty but saw his penalty saved by the Nakambala goal keeper Sam Mumba.
In the second half Nakambala FC tried to push for a goal through forwards Wilmore Haatembo and Jacob Mupeta but Jacob Banda remained resolute to keep a clean sheet.
Zesco United moved level on points but remain second to Stream A log leaders Zanaco who have a better goal difference after inflicting a heavy defeat on Lusaka Dynamos.
Nakambala Leopards’ next encounter in the Super League will be away at Green Buffaloes at Edwin Imboela Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday. Zesco’s next match will be in the CAF Confederation Cup on Wednesday against Asante Kotoko away in Ghana.
NKANA 3-1 NAPSA STARS
Nkana came from behind to beat Napsa Stars 3-1, in Kitwe and moved level on points with Buildcon in Stream B of the Super League as Napsa gave away the opportunity to top the log.
Napsa started as the stronger side of the two teams, and showed intent by drawing first blood in the 10th minutes via Congo Brazaville born striker Eric Yema. Nkana came back into the game nine minutes later through Congolese export, Freddy Tshimenga to take the game 1-all at halftime.
In the second half, it was a balanced affair and looked set to be heading for a draw when midfield maestro Kelvin Kampamba found the back of the net in the 74th minute to give Nkana the lead.
Simon Bwalya, who came on to replace Ronald Sate Sate Kampamba, put the icing on the cake with a 90th minute strike to make sure that all the three points remain in Kitwe.
Napsa coach Muhammad Fathi conceded defeat and blamed the loss on some mistakes which he said he was going to work on.
“We were playing away against a brilliant team and it is part of football, it happened some mistakes cost us the game,” Fathi said.
However, Fathi expressed confidence that Napsa will bounce back in their fixture against Circuit City. His counterpart, Beston Chambeshi expressed satisfactory with the way his team played.
“It is the first team at home and we have collected maximum points which is good for us,” Chambeshi said.
Nkana also welcomed back the duo of Duncan Otieno and Adama Ben Bahn which was a boost in their confidence ahead of their second CAF Confederation Cup Group C match at home against Al Hilal of Sudan on Wednesday. Nkana’s next fixture will be against Forest Rangers on Saturday as Napsa welcome Circuit City.
Football is like hunting
“One second can change it all, but it’s not just any second, it’s a flash. The prey is there and suddenly then it’s not. In an instant it’s over – you won’t have the chance again.
“You need to know which one precise second to train for, and to understand that moment. That’s something that comes with instinct, with the intelligence or experience of a player.”