Zambia Airforce sponsored outfit, Red Arrows on Saturday started their CAF Confederation Cup campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Young Buffaloes of Eswatini.
A brace from Felix Bulaya was enough to hand the Airmen victory at home and an advantage heading into the second leg over the weekend.
The ZamFoot Crew was at the venue of the match, The National Heroes Stadium and now give you their rating for individual players in the match.
1. Yasin Mugabi (5/10) – He was never worked too much but was alert most times to come off his line and get his defenders out of trouble.
He is however guilt of not coming out for the ball for the Young Buffaloes goal and on occasions failed to deal with dead balls.
2. Benedict Chepeshi (6/10) – The captain had an average day at the office, he defended his area very well but gave away possession on several occasions which led to dangerous attacks against his side.
3. Prosper Chiluya (5/10) – He was not very much involved in the game. He did not offer much in attack and not much came from his flank both in attack or defense.
Several times he got into the final third he was very wasteful with his crosses being overhit and mostly going out.
4. Elvis Bissong (5/10)- Gave away position cheaply which could have costed the team but he also won a good number of challenges mostly in the air.
5. Tresor Tshibwabwa (6.5/10) – Very confident to start play from the back and build-up play. He dominated the strikers most times.
He cleared one from the line but he was also guilty of almost giving away a goal.
6. George Simbayambya (6.5/10) – Did his job silently started most of Red Arrows attacks and was breaking up the attacks of the opposition efficiently.
7. Felix Bulaya (7.5/10) – By far the man of the match, his speed and skill gave young Buffaloes defenders a very long and tiring afternoon.
Bulaya also scored both goals to give Red Arrows an advantage going into the second leg.
8. Yusuf Saddam – (6/10) – He was very good in attack and defense. He played as a box-to-box midfielder. He helped the Airmen win the battle of midfield.
9. James Chamanga (5/10) – The veteran didn’t get very involved in the game and did not get too much service as he was tightly marked.
He held up play very well and kept possession for Arrows when called upon.
10. Alassane Diarra (6.5/10) – Playing off the striker he did very well to create space and eliminate the opposition defenders with his skills.
He however missed a clear chance which looked easier to score than to miss. He then made it up when he set up Felix Bulaya for the second goal.
11. Francis Simwanza (5.5/10) – He was very good when in possession but struggled with the pace of the game, and he missed two good chances before halftime.
Substitutes Edward Tembo, Alidour Kayembe, and Hope Katwishi didn’t have much of an impact on the game combined hence not rated.
The Airmen will be away in Eswatini this weekend and should they manage to fly swiftly over the Young Buffaloes they will set up a crunchy encounter against Primero de Augusto.
