Zanaco Ladies moved to the top of the ZPL Women’s Super League Transitional Season Southern Zone standings after an emphatic 8-0 victory over ZISD FC, while ZESCO Ndola Girls maintained their Northern Zone lead following a draw on Sunday.
Zanaco produced the biggest result of the weekend, with Maylan Mulenga scoring her first hat-trick in the club’s colours as the Bankers continued their impressive start to the campaign.
The forward struck three times, scoring in the 27th minute, 61st minute and from the penalty spot in the 77th minute, to cap a dominant performance.
Esther Musialela opened the scoring in the 20th minute before Regina Chanda doubled the advantage four minutes later.
Mulenga added a third in the 27th minute, with Chanda completing her brace in the 40th minute to give Zanaco a commanding 4-0 lead at half-time.
Tisilile Lungu extended the advantage four minutes after the restart before Mulenga scored her second of the afternoon in the 61st minute.
Pumulo Lubasi made it seven in the 72nd minute before Mulenga converted from the spot five minutes later to complete her hat-trick and an emphatic victory.
The result lifted Zanaco to 15 points from five matches, moving them above Green Buffaloes Women into first place on goal difference. Both sides have maintained perfect records, winning all five of their matches, but Zanaco boast a superior goal difference of +15 compared to Buffaloes’ +13.
Green Buffaloes had earlier recorded a comfortable 3-1 victory over Luyando Sporting FC to maintain their 100 percent winning start to the season.
Natasha Nanyangwe gave Buffaloes an early lead in the fourth minute before Catherine Mulenga equalised for Luyando in first-half stoppage time.
However, Mary Mbewe restored Buffaloes’ advantage in the 64th minute before Agness Phiri sealed the victory four minutes later.
The result left Luyando rooted in the relegation zone with just one point from six matches, having yet to register a victory.
Elsewhere, The Elite Ladies delivered another statement performance with a 6-1 demolition of Choma Warriors Academy.
Choma took a surprise early lead through Prodia Mwiinga in the fourth minute, but the Elite responded emphatically.
Matildah Mukundah equalised in the 32nd minute before Faith Kajiya Kapilingo put the hosts ahead four minutes after the restart.
Phidah Muzuwa extended the advantage in the 54th minute and added her second from the penalty spot in the 65th minute.
Lilian Mwenda scored in the 61st minute, while Mary Phiri completed the rout in the 77th minute.
Red Arrows Women edged Green Eagles Women 1-0, with Mary Mambwe scoring the decisive goal in the 58th minute.
Amezam Tamanga Queens and National Assembly Women shared the points in a 1-1 draw.
Tukiya Mufishi gave National Assembly the lead in first-half stoppage time, scoring in the 45th+2 minute, before Tamara Mtonga rescued a point for Amezam with a dramatic equaliser in the 90th+4 minute.
ZESCO Ndola Girls retain Northern Zone lead
In the Northern Zone, ZESCO Ndola Girls remained at the summit despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Kamfinsa Blue Eagles Queens.
Thandiwe Ndhlovu gave ZESCO the lead in the 13th minute, but Happy Machayi struck in the 80th minute to earn Kamfinsa a share of the spoils.
ZESCO remain ahead of Indeni Roses on goal difference, with both sides on 13 points in the standings. The Ndola-based side have a +12 goal difference, one better than Indeni’s +11.
Indeni, however, strengthened their position in second place with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Kansanshi Queens.
Ngosa Chabwe opened the scoring in the third minute before Kansanshi responded through Theresa Nayame five minutes later.
Elizabeth Mwale restored Indeni’s advantage in the 29th minute before Gift Mulenga made it 3-1 in the 45th minute.
Mwale completed her brace a minute into first-half stoppage time, while Chabwe also grabbed her second of the afternoon in the 69th minute to complete the scoring.
Nchanga Rangers Queens also secured an important away victory, beating FC Leopard Queens 2-0.
Ivy Nambeye scored both goals, finding the net in the 66th minute before completing her brace in the 90th+2 minute.
Meanwhile, Amazing Grace FC and Trident Queens played out a 1-1 draw.
Elizabeth Chishimba put Trident ahead in the 55th minute before Grace Namkamba equalised for Amazing Grace in the 80th minute.
With the transitional campaign progressing, the battle for the final play-off positions is intensifying in both zones, while the fight to avoid relegation remains a major concern for the teams at the foot of the standings.
Luyando Sporting FC and ZISD FC remain without a victory in the Southern Zone, while FC Leopard Queens and Amazing Grace FC will be looking to improve their positions in the Northern Zone.
