…as ten man Nkana outwit Kabwe Warriors
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
GREEN Buffaloes claimed leadership of the MTN/FAZ Super League after beating blunt Red Arrows 2-1 in a fiercely contested week-4 fixture at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka yesterday.
A red card to defender Mweene Mumbi could not stop Buffaloes from picking their third win of the season as Nickolas Mulilo and Friday Samu maintained Buffaloes’ unbeaten run to move to the top spot on the Super League table with 10 points after four games.
Mulilo had given Buffaloes the lead a minute before the break in a match which was evenly contested.
Buffaloes however suffered a major setback in the 69th minute when defender Mweene Mumbi was given a red card for a clumsy challenge on an opponent.
Arrows eventually levelled the scores in the 64th minute through Felix Bulaya but it was Green Buffaloes who reigned supreme after Friday Samu scored a late penalty for the ten-man Buffaloes who moved to 10, points on the Super League table.
Buffaloes are now one point ahead of second-placed Buildcon FC who gave up the top after dropping points following a 1-0 home defeat to promoted Kafue Celtics.
The Joe Bwalya led Celtics nicknamed the “Crocks” picked their first Super League win in difficulty circumstances away from home.
Striker Albert Kangwanda scored his third goal of the season as Celtics picked their first three points after losing the last three opening games of the season.
At Godfrey Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe, 10-man Nkana FC stunned Kabwe Warriors 1-0 thanks to Alex Ngo’nga’s lone goal which gifted the Kitwe side victory as Warriors’ search for a league win continues after they also dropped points to Kansanshi Dynamos on Wednesday.
Ngo’nga scored late in the game for Nkana who were reduced to 10 men after referee Janny Sikazwe gave Obet Masumbuko a red card for a second bookable offence commuted minutes before the break.
Warriors however failed to take advantage of Kalampa’s setback and where punished in the 85th minute by Ngo’nga who beat Warriors goal keeper Scott Ngokene with a low shot from a tight angle after benefitting from a long throw-in taken by defender Stephen Chulu.
“I have to thank the boys for a tactical play and the discipline they showed. Playing away from home against a big team like Kabwe Warriors and coming out victorious is not easy. This is a good win and we are looking forward to our next game on Wednesday against Chambishi,” Nkana Coach Beston Chambeshi said after the game.
Nkana are seventh position on the league table with six points, on par with defending champions Zesco United and Lusaka Dynamos who are also on six points.
