THE appointment of George Lwandamina as head coach of Zesco United could not inspire the Ndola giants to avoid defeat as they suffered a painful 1-0 loss to rivals Nkana FC in a Week-16 MTN/FAZ Super League fixture played yesterday at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
Lwandamina ditched struggling Kabwe Warriors to replace Numba Mumamba, a man that had replaced him in 2020 but was released in October 2022 following the club’s failure to compete at continental level.
However, on a day the Ndola giants announced the third coming of their legendary gaffer, rivals Nkana FC punished Zesco with a 1-0 beating thanks to a second half goal from Harrison Chisala.
Chisala scored a penalty won after he was brought down by Spencer Sautu in the box.
The sweet victory over Zesco propelled Nkana to 13th on the log with 19 points while Zesco United will not play in the ABSA Cup for the first time after so many seasons as they sit on 11th position on the log with 20 points.
Meanwhile, League leaders Power Dynamos opened a four points lead at the summit of the Super League table after beating Prison Leopards 1-0 thanks to a Joshua Mutale injury time goal which propelled “Abayellow” to 32 points, two points ahead of second placed Forest Rangers who edged NAPSA Stars 1-0 at Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
Defending champions Red Arrows recorded a second consecutive defeat following a 1-0 beating by Green Eagles in a Military derby at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
The loss left Arrows sitting on third position with 27 points while Green Eagles increased their chances of qualifying for the ABSA Cup after moving to fourth on the log with 26 points.
In other games played yesterday, Kabwe Warriors held Chambishi to a goalless draw while Nchanga Rangers punished Kansanshi Dynamos 2-1 thanks to a brace from Christian Saile with Djo Ntambwe getting the consolation goal in the 87th minute for Kansanshi.
At Edwin Imboela Stadium in Lusaka, Nkwazi FC humiliated Lumwana Radiants 3-0 thanks to Bernard Kumwenda’s brace and a solo goal from prodigal son, Justin Shonga.
Sensational Zanaco FC increased their chances of qualifying for the ABSA cup after overcoming FC MUZA 3-2 in a five goal thriller played at Sunset Stadium.
The win pushed Zanaco to eighth position with 24 points while MUZA who were fifth on the log dropped to seventh with 25 points.
