By MICHAEL MIYOBA
NDOLA-BASED Buildcon shot to the summit of the MTN/FAZ Super Division table with a hard fought for victory over Green Buffaloes in a midweek fixture yesterday.
They lead the 18-team table with 15 points, the same as Zesco but with a better goal difference.
Buffaloes ended the match with nine players as George Ngoma and Emmanuel Museka were given red cards.
Their coach, Bilton Musonda was given a yellow card for protesting over poor officiating.
A first half penalty by defender Isaac Shamujompa and another goal from Kalma Jararu handed Buildcon the three points from the game.
ZANACO reclaimed third spot on the 18-team after beating city rivals NAPSA Stars 2-1 in yesterday’s midweek-9 fixture at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
First and second half goals from Baba Basile and Moses Phiri gifted ZANACO the precious three points as they bounced back from Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Buildcon in Ndola.
Baba Basile gave ZANACO the lead in the 21st minute after benefitting from Chisamba Lungu’s assist.
Jacob Ngulube levelled the scores for NAPSA three minutes before the break as the first half ended 1-1.
ZANACO reclaimed their lead five minutes into the second half when Phiri took advantage of NAPSA’s clumsy defence and beat the goalkeeper with a shot from close range.
The win propelled ZANACO to 14 points, one point behind second-placed Zesco United who were held 0-0 by Red Arrows in the second fixture of the double header at the same venue. Veteran striker and 2012 AFCON winner James Chamanga was unfortunate to miss a penalty in the first half as the two teams shared the spoils. At President Stadium in Kabwe, Prison Leopards handed Lusaka Dynamos their first defeat of the season.
Prison won 4-2 thanks to goals from Tshite Mweshi, Tady Agiti, David Obasi and Joseph Chewe who scored in regulations time while Yolamu Rodwel Jr and Derrick Mukambozi scored the two goals for Dynamos.
Defending champions Nkana suffered an embarrassing 2-0 defeat at the hands of promotion side Indeni FC at Indeni Sports Complex in Ndola.
Tiki Chiluba and Graven Chitalu got the crucial goals as Indeni propelled to ten points while Nkana who sent coach Manfred Chabinga on leave moved into the relegation zone where they occupy 16th position with five points.
In other games played yesterday, Nkwazi held Green Eagles 0-0 while Power Dynamos beat Lumwana Radiants 1-0 thanks to an own goal from Alaine Ngeleka Katembwe.
Promoted sides Kitwe United and Young Green Eagles were also involved in a goalless draw at Garden Park Stadium in Kitwe.
SCOREBOARD:
Zanaco FC 2-1 Napsa Stars
Red Arrows 0-0 Zesco United
Green Buffaloes 1-2 Buildcon
Green Eagles 0-0 Nkwazi
Indeni FC 2-0 Nkana FC
Kitwe United 0-0 Young Green Eagles
Power Dynamos 1-0 Lumwana Radiants
Prison Leopards 4-2 Lusaka Dynamos
BUILDCON TOP SUPER DIVISION
