Ten man Red Arrows hold champions Zanaco

A disciplined performance by 10 man Red Arrows saw them hold champions Zanaco to a 1 – 1 draw on match day one.

A goal each from Bruce Musakanya and Zanaco skipper Ziyo Tembo and a straight red in the second half for Arrows skipper Bronson Chama made for an interesting encounter.

Zanaco started well and were looking dangerous going forward with Ernest Mbewe running at Webster Mulenga at will – the Arrows defense was looking the busier of the two.

But it was Arrows who took the lead in the 20th minute when Stanley Nshimbi who looked his old self attacking with pace swept in a cross from the right which was met by veteran Francis Kombe who set up Bruce Musakanya for a simple tap in.

The lead only lasted five minutes with Ziyo finding himself in unfamiliar territory in the box but he was calm enough to blast a low short home on a half volley leaving Munyau no chance.

Zanaco continued to look the more likely to score but the Zambia Airforce men were defending well.

There was a moment of madness in the 48th minute when Mbewe again broke loose on the right. Chama set out after him and tackled him crudely with his boot so high it caught the winger’s knee leaving the referee with no option but to show him a red card.

Honour Janza then made three Substitutes which saw Charles Siyingwa, Lubinda Mundia and Francis Simwanza coming in for Kombe, Evans Musonda and Bruce Musakanya.

With Paul Katema sitting deep and Simwanza linking up play, Zanaco did not have enough to break down the boys from Nkoloma.

Numba Mumamba seemed to be running out of ideas as he brought in Lyanga Ayubu for Augustine Mulenga in the 48th minute but withdrew him about 15 minutes later for Boyd Mwangelwa.

In the end it was an easy well deserved point for the visitors who were not troubled enough in the final third.

Zanaco XI

1. Racha Kola, Toanga Bwembya, Zimiseleni Moyo,  George Chilufya, Ziyo Tembo (Captai, Boyd Musonda (Damiano Kola), Ernest Mbewe, Richard Kasonde, Attram Kwame, Saith Sakala, Augustine Mulenga (Ayubu Lyanga – Boyd Mwangelwa)

Red Arrows XI

16. Danny Munyao,  Benedict Chepeshi, Joseph Zimba, Webster Mulenga, Bronson Chama (Captain), Paul Katema, Evans Musonda (Francis Simwanza), Bruce Musakanya (Charles Siyingwa), Festus Mbewe, Francis Kombe (Lubinda Mundia), Stanley Nshimbi

MATCH DAY ONE | FAZ MTN SUPER LEAGUE RESULTS AND SCORERS

City of Lusaka 0-1 Green Eagles (Andrew Phiri 19′ pen)

Nkana 1-1 Nakambala Leopards (Walter Bwalya | Lameck Banda)

Real Nakonde 0-0 Buildcon

Lumwana Radiants 1-0 Forest Rangers (Chiyesu Sakafunya)

Zanaco 1-1 Red Arrows (Ziyo Tembo 24′ | Bruce Musakanya 19′)

Kabwe Warriors 2-2 Nkwazi (Clement Mwape 47′, Nicholas Mulilo 55′ | Kalaba Chikwanda 59′, Chipungu Musukuma 87′)

Napsa Stars 3-0 Nchanga Rangers  (Luka Banda 44′, Chitiya Mususu x2)