Zambia Super League leaders, Red Arrows eased past Nkwazi to progress to the semifinals of the 2022 ABSA Cup.
With the other three quarter final matches needing post match penalties to secure winners, the airmen showed why mean business with a win over the Zambia Police outfit.
Arrows came into the match without head coach Chisi Mbewe who is in Tanzania finalizing his CAF A coaching course hence goalkeeper coach Kalililo Kakonje and technical advisor Oswald Mutapa took charge of the team.
They named a strong team with James Chamanga leading the attack alongside Ricky Banda with Malian midfielder Alassane Diarra in the creative role.
Dennis Makinka also put up a strong squad with Wezzy Kumwenda, Bernard Kumwenda, Stephen Mutama and Emmanuel Chabula all starting.
The Airmen dominated the match from the word go but only opened the scores in the 14th minute, Diarra with a close range finish to put them in the driving seat.
Despite both side creating chances they could not change the scoreline as the match went to the break with the Airmen leading by a lone goal.
In the second stanza, Arrows started were they left off pilling pressure on Nkwazi and it was George Simbayambaya who doubled the lead in the 53rd minute.
Charles Muntanga came out to try and deal with a Kebson Kamanga cross but he failed and the loose ball fell to Simbayambaya who made no mistake scoring with in an empty net at his mercy.
Midfielder George Mandu came from the bench to seal the win with a close range finish just a minute after being introduced.
Arrows almost made it four nil at the death but it was flagged for offside; 3-0 the match finished.
Red Arrows skipper Benedict Chepeshi was named man of the match and walked away with K15,000 from the sponsors ABSA Zambia.
Red Arrows will face Green Eagles in the Semi-finals that will take place on 2nd April at Nkoloma Stadium.
ABSA Cup Quarter Finals
Nkana 1-1 Lumwana Radiants (Oliver Lumbiya 53′ l Joseph Chanda 7′)
Nkana won 5-4 on penalties
Zesco United 2-2 Green Eagles (Enock Sakala 53′, Clement Mwape l Amity Shamende 40′, Linekar Mwiikisa 86′ )
Eagles won 4-3 on penalties
Green Buffaloes 1-1 Napsa Stars (Martin Njobvu l Simon Nkhata 30′)
Napsa Stars on 7-6 on penalties
Red Arrows 3-0 Nkwazi (Alassane Diara 14′, George Simbayambaya 53’, George Mandu 70’)
