By MICHAEL MIYOBA
KITWE giants Nkana FC picked their first win of the MTN Super League season after edging Red Arrows 1-0 in a Week-3 fixture thanks to Gilroy Chimwemwe’s second half goal at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
The win was a perfect response from the 3-2 loss to Nkwazi on a match day one fixture played at Nkana Stadium two weeks ago.
Nkana had begun the tightly contested home match on a positive note and almost scored in the 12th minute through Obed Masubuko whose long range shot was cleared for a corner.
Nkana missed another golden chance to break the deadlock in the 27th minute when Alex Ngo’nga despite having only the keeper to beat failed to find the back of the net after some good play from Chimwemwe, Masubuko and Jacob Ngulube inside Arrows’ half.
Nkana made changes in the second half, withdrawing Jacob Ngulube for Tady Etekiama while Obed Masubuko was replaced by Mathews Lungu.
Arrows responded by withdrawing former Nkana star Fred Tshimenga for Simwanza while Diarra paved way for Ali Kayembe.
Nkana finally broke the deadlock in the 57th minute through Chimwemwe who scored from a long range free kick.
Arrows’ attempt to get back into the game saw them missing a couple of chances through veteran striker James Chamanga and Rick Banda who couldn’t beat the Nkana goal keeper Kelvin Malunga.
“We are happy as the technical staff to pick a win. We worked for it, the boys had to play with their lungs out because Red Arrows put up a good fight but this is a good win for us because we know where to start from,” Nkana coach Beston Chambeshi said after the match.
For Red Arrows coach Chisi Mbewe, defeat at Nkana Stadium was a painful loss for a team that impressed and progressed to the next preliminary round of the CAF Confederations Cup over the weekend.
