Xavier Manchishi
23 April 2011
NKWAZI have provisionally leapt to the joint leadership of the MTN Premier Division table after leaving it late to beat surprise basement side Kabwe Warriors in a poorly attended week-four match.
Derrick Mwansa glanced a header in the 87th minute to complete a come-back victory that left the ‘Railmen’ still winless this term and languishing at the foot of the table four weeks into the new season.
The visitors had opened the scoring first half stoppage time rather against the run of play when Vincent Chenda finished off an improvised counter-attack that involved skipper Maunga Kabuku.
At the time of scoring, Nkwazi goalkeeper Sydney Tembo was still in some clear discomfort after an awkward fall earlier in the match that later saw him belatedly substituted at the interval.
On resumption, Nkwazi, who had dominated the match in a clear indication that last weekend’s 1-0 win over champions Zesco United in Ndola was no fluke, upped the tempo and were duly rewarded the equaliser through an easy Keegan Phiri tap-in.
Kalewa 1 Nakambala 2
Nakambala Leopards yesterday shot back to the top of the 2011 MTN Premier Division table after coming from behind to shock fellow promotion side, Kalewa at Musa Kasonka Stadium, Felix Malunga reports in Ndola.
Goals from Lubinda Mundia in both halves subdued Kalewa in this Week Four fixture played at Musa Kasonka Stadium.
Kalewa made a false start when veteran midfielder, Boston Mwanza gave them the lead on 19 minutes but Dick Ngwenya’s ‘sweet boys’ rallied back with Mundia restoring parity 11 minutes later.
Mundia completed his brace on 62 minutes when he headed home a Webby Mulenga free-kick.
Nakambala jointly lead the chart on nine points with Nkwazi while Kalewa is still stuck one a single point from four games.
Lime 0 Buffaloes 2
Green Buffaloes moved into joint second after overpowering Lime Hotspurs at Indeni Sports Complex in Ndola.
Buffaloes exploited Lime’s laxity in the second to poke home two late goals with their Italian export, Fabio Palecini creating both goals.
Chipili Mungule put Buffaloes ahead in the 73rd minute when he finished off a rebound after Lime goalkeeper, Humphrey Mwenya had spilled a Palecini thunderbolt.
Lineker Mwikisa sealed the victory a minute into stoppage time with diving header from a Palecini sweet cross.
Blades 1 Power 0
Konkola Blades edged out Power Dynamos in a tight Week Four match in Chililabombwe to derail their hopes of cementing their grip on top of the log.
A Robert Tembo goal was enough to see Power knocked off the helm of the table.
Zanaco 2 Forest 2
Zanaco officials yesterday asked MTN staff to remove the mobile company’s banners displayed round the pitch shortly before kick-off of this week-four league match which ended in a draw, Muwali Musampula writes from Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
MTN, who have signed a three-year sponsorship deal of the local premier league received a rude shock when their banners were taken off by Zanaco officials who preferred to have just their own posters displayed in the stadium.
When the match kicked off, Zanaco took the lead through Makundika Sakala who beat Forest Rangers goalkeeper, William Chibale but Larry Siakasipa, who was a marvel to watch, levelled the scores with a free-kick strike just a minute to the half time break.
Siakasipa extended Forest’s advantage two minutes after restart with another well-struck free-kick that proved too good for Zanaco goalkeeper, Raja Kola.
Zanaco skipper, Charles Siyingwa ensured the share of spoils when he restored parity from the penalty spot in the 62nd after Lottie Phiri was tripped in the box by Lighton Kasalota.
Roan 0 Arrows 0
Early pacesetters, Red Arrows’ title aspirations suffered a setback after being held to a virgin draw at Roan United in Luanshya.
Nkana 0 Rangers 0
Nkana battled to a drab scoreless draw against Nchanga Rangers at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
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Zambia: Nkwazi Leap to Joint Leadership