Zesco United shot to the summit of the log when they collected maximum points off National Assembly to take advantage of Zanaco’s slip who were held away by Nkana.
It was a hard fought but deserved victory for Zesco who played with a man down for the better part of the match after Misheck Chaila was given a straight red card in the 35th minute.
Despite being a man down, Zesco still looked good and their efforts paid off on the stroke of half time when a Winston Kalengo shot deflected off Jackson Mwanza giving the Assembly goalie no chance.
In Kitwe, Zanaco relinquished first position and dropped into second after they were held 1 – 1 by Nkana.
Boyd Musonda put Zanaco ahead in the 36th minute but the hosts were awarded a late penalty for them to draw level thanks to Shadreck Musonda who made no mistake from the spot.
The draw sees Nkana drop into 7th position, overtaken by Mufulira Wanderers who won 2 – 0 at home against Lusaka Dynamos with goals from Moses Nyambe (11′) and Eric Chibuye (80′).
Red Arrows have continued their steady rise on the log and this time moved from 10th to 8th position on 11 points after they outsmarted visiting Forest Rangers 3 – 1.
Despite Forest settling early, Arrows were the first off the mark when rejuvenated Mundia Lubinda showed predatory instincts to glance home a Stanley Nshimbi cross from the left in the 18th minute.
It was all Arrows from then on and it wasn’t long before Festus Mbewe also glanced another cross this time from Martin Sikaonga in similar fashion to put the ball beyond the reach of the Forest goalie in the 20th minute.
It could have been worse for Forest when Nshimbi this time popping up on the right checked inside to unleash a curling shot which beat the Forest goalie at full stretch but for the ball to canon off the upright leaving the keeper injured and eventually substituted in the 25th minute.
Forest took the game to Arrows in the second half and substitute Mala Besa pulled one back on 77 minutes to make for grand finish.
Arrows coach brought in Patrick Ngoma for Stanley Nshimbi and Francis Kombe for Mbewe but it was the veteran striker Kombe who sealed the win for Arrows in the 89th minute with a brilliant mature finish much to the amusement of the partisan crowd which had called for his inclusion way before he was brought in.
Arrows will also have goalkeeper Danny Munyao to thank after he denied Soutra Tshimenga twice in one on one situations and saved a well taken free-kick and he later made a point blank save from a Chikule Chingandu header.
Power Dynamos also won 1 – 0 away against Konkola Blades thanks to a Jimmy Ndhlovu goal who takes his personal tally to five.
Lottie Nyimbili scored a brace for Nkwazi while Adamson Mulawo pulled one back as Nkwazi beat Green Eagles 2 – 1.
Shadreck Mayembe also scored a brace to give Napsa Stars who recorded only their second win of the season. Mayembe converted a penalty in the 9th minute and completed his brace in the 73rd minute when he converted a Chitoshi Mukuma cross. Emmanuel Banda scored a consolation for Rangers in the 75th minute.
WEEK 8 RESULTS
Nkana 1 – 1 Zanaco
Nchanga Rangers 1 – 2 Napsa Stars
Konkola Blades 0 – 1 Power Dynamos
National Assembly 0 – 1 Zesco United
Red Arrows 3 – 1 Forest Rangers
Mufulira Wanderers 2 – 0 Lusaka Dynamos
Nakambala Leopards 0 – 1 Green Buffaloes
Nkwazi 2 – 1 Green Eagles
Aba yellow Power 90
This time around da league belongs to nkhwazi. go – go arrest evryone, we’re behind u!
Lol. Atti arrest everyone. Hahahah
@ZUMIC that’s a good one but I think my beloved Power will have a thing or two to say about Nkwazi winning the league!!
I have a suspicion that Mayuka will go to lille
Weldone Power.
Ba Zamfoot bushe how long is that Lubambo Musonda item going to be “breaking news?” That’s outdated news now.
Zamfoot please report on the latest news that Herve Renard is now the coach of lille and one or two Zambians may be headed in that direction
Hervé Renard to be unveiled as Lille boss on Tuesday, according to L’Équipe
According to today’s edition of L’Équipe, Lille have reached an agreement with Hervé Renard for him to become the club’s next manager.
René Girard meanwhile is said to have reached a mutual termination agreement with the club to depart after next weekend’s final game of the Ligue 1 season. According to the newspaper, Renard has already started contacting potential signings for the summer. Renard, who has agreed a three year deal with Lille, will replace Girard, who will earn €800k from the mutual termination agreement.
Interesting how some people have always hated and disrespected Renard but always want him to do Zambian players favours to clinch professional deals at clubs he coaches. Pathetic