By MICHAEL MIYOBA
AFTER suffering a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Cameroonian giants Coton Sport FC in the CAF Confederations Cup, Napsa Stars bounced back with a bang and stunned Forest Rangers 1-0 in a Week-23 MTN Super Division fixture played yesterday at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
A lone goal from young Jimmy Mukeya was all the Lusaka side needed to pick an away win which propelled them to 14th position on the Super Division table with 27 points.
Forest had started the match as a dominant side while Napsa Stars depended on counter attacks.
Webster Muzaza had a few good runs with Lameck Silwaba but their combination could not help Forest break the deadlock.
It was the visitors who finally went ahead through Mukeya who benefitted from Austin Banda’s assist to give them the lead in the 17th minute.
Napsa had another chance to double their advantage in the 26th minute when Daniel Mutshinemu came to Forest’s rescue with a great save.
Forest almost got the equaliser in the 39th minute but where unlucky as Taonga Bwembya’s free kick went wide as the first stanza ended in favour of the visitors.
In the second half, Forest looked determined to get the equaliser which almost came in the 48th minute when Chideu and Muzaza played some attractive football before the latter ballooned his effort.
Tenant Chilumba was forced to make tactical changes, substituting Daily Echabe for Peter Mwaagani while Lameck Silwaba paved way for Laurent Muma.
Thomas Chideu came close to giving Forest the equaliser before he was replaced by Issa Bighrimana while Shadreck Malambo was withdrawn for Patrick Anfumu.
Napsa’s Shaaban Odhoji produced a last minute save to deny Muzaza from rescuing Forest with his well struck free kick which was easily dealt with as the Pensioners held on to the first half goal to bag three points in Ndola.
The defeat denied Forest a chance to cut the gap between the two sides Zanaco and Zesco United as they remain stack on third with 35 points.
Forest trail Zanaco and Zesco United with four and 16 points respectively.
