High Flying Nkwazi has returned to winningfree-kicklowing a hard-fought 2-1 win over Prison Leopards at Edwin Imboela played on Friday afternoon.
Nkwazi came into the match without their head coach Dennis Makinka on the technical bench as he was serving a suspension.
Prison Leopards started strong with Conlyde Luchanga , Zachariah Chilongoshi and Landu Miete pulling the strings.
The hosts struck first however against the run of play as Bernard Kumwenda beat Peter Jacob Banda leaving him for dead before moving between Francis Debbrah and Stanley Umukoro and unleashing a powerful low shot giving Patrick Chooma no chance.
The visitors were back on level terms eight minutes later as Conlyde Luchanga headed in a Zachariah Chilongoshi corner after being found unmarked inside the box.
Luchanga had another chance to score four minutes into the second half but this time his header went wide.
Leopards had another chance to score four minutes later as Isaac Ngoma was put through on goal but he failed to convert with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Nkwazi came close in the 72nd minute, Pride Mwanza with a powerful shot but Chooma made a brilliant save.
Nkwazi finally got their second goal in the 80th minute, Stephen Mutama’s free kick went through without any touch after everyone failed to make any contact including Patrick Chooma in the Prison Leopards’s goal.
The win takes Nkwazi to seventh place with 32 points while Prison Leopards remain stuck on 10th place.
Nkwazi assistant coach Keegan Phiri was full of praise for Kumwenda who was named the man of the match following his stellar performance which saw him score and earn the free kick that resulted into the winning goal.
“We are very happy for Bernard (Kumwenda) who has improved a lot . He will be important for us going forward especially in finishing and scoring goals,” he said.
Meanwhile Prison Leopards boss Albert Kachinga bemoaned his teams missed chances.
“The formation worked well, it was just the personnel. If you miss clear-cut and easy chances like we did you get punished, ” Kachinga said.
Full Time
Nkwazi 2 – 1 Prisons
(Bernard Kumwenda 14′, Stephen Mutama 80′ | Conlyde Luchanga 22′)
