…as Nkwazi fly to second after overcoming Forest Rangers
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
RED Arrows reclaimed top spot on the MTN Zambia Super League table after humiliating Green Buffaloes 4-1 in an electric military derby played at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
A brace from Ricky Banda and goals apiece from veteran James Chamanga and Alasan Diara in the week-12 fixture propelled the Airmen to 22 points on the log where they dislodged Kabwe Warriors.
Banda broke the deadlock 18 minutes after kick off before Diara doubled the lead six minutes after the half hour mark in the first stanza as Red Arrows enjoyed a 2-0 lead at half time.
The Airmen continued to dominate the game in the second half and almost snatched their third but were unfortunate as Sadam Phiri hit the cross bar in the early stages of the game.
Chamanga made things worse for Buffaloes when he grabbed Red Arrows third goal a minute after the hour mark.
Speedy winger Golden Mashata came close to pulling one goal back for Buffaloes with an exciting bicycle kick which went over the bar in the 68th minute.
Banda completed his brace with a goal in the 82nd minute as the Airmen run riot. In the last minute of regulation time, Mwenya Edward scored Arrows fifth goal but his celebrations were cut short as the goal was ruled out for offside.
In the third minute of added time, Buffaloes were able to get their consolation goal through Chandwila Joseph.
In the second fixture of the double header, a sensational lone strike from captain Charles Zulu gifted Zanaco FC the victory as they edged Kansanshi Dynamos 1-0.
The win pushed Zanaco to fifth on the Super League table with 18 points while Kansanshi maintained 13th position with 12 points.
Meanwhile, Ndola giants Zesco United moved to second on the log after beating Mutondo Stars 2-1 in a tightly contested match at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Two second half goals from Lazarus Kambole and Enock Sakala guaranteed the win for the visitors.
High Flying Nkwazi FC flew to third on the log after coming from behind to beat Forest Rangers 2-1 at Dola Hill Stadium in Ndola.
Peter Mwangeni cancelled out Moyela Libamba’s eighth minute goal for Forest Rangers before Mathews Mashiliko scored the win for Nkwazi to move to 22 points on par with Arrows and Zesco who have healthier goal differences.
At Godfrey Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe, Green Eagles handed “Magnificent” Kabwe Warriors their second consecutive loss coming out 1-0 winners thanks to Fred Michael’s first half goal.
FC Muza and Konkola Blades shared the points after a goalless draw at Nakambala Stadium in Mazabuka.
Today’s Super League action will see 13-time league champions Nkana and Power Dynamos facing off in the much-anticipated Kitwe derby at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka while “Mighty” Mufulira Wanderers will host Napsa Stars at Shinde Stadium.
