A hat trick from Musonda Kapembwa and a goal from Austine Banda was enough for Napsa Stars’ to end their three-match winless run when they beat relegation threatened Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy (KYSA) last Saturday.
It was indeed a sweet victory for the Pensioners who won by 4 goals to 1 to emerge victorious at Woodlands Stadium in their week-24 match of the Eden National Division One League.
Having last won a match in their week-20 fixture, the Pensioners were quick to set the tone of the game when Musonda Kapembwa’s powerful long-range shot went above the bar sending shivers to the visiting team.
However, KYSA’s Thomas Likafi had two shots on target in the first seven minutes of the game of which one was collected and the other one was parried over the bar by Napsa Stars Goalkeeper Rodwell Mukwanya in the third and seventh minute of the match respectively.
It took nine minutes for the pensioners to test the firmness of KYSA Goalkeeper Nason Munshya’s gloves when Austine Banda’s strong header was saved.
As the game was unfolding, Napsa Stars’ David Odhiambo released powerful deadly header that went inches wide from an Austine Banda set piece in the 12th minute of the game.
A 14th minute calmly taken penalty kick from Musonda Kapambwe after he was brought down by Thomas Likafi was all that was needed to unsettle the Kabwe based team and open his goal scoring account of the day to make it one nil (1-0) that made the Tangala anthem from the home fans to be sang even louder.
Captain fantastic Luka Banda made sure to be part of the afternoon’s excellence display as he cracked a long range shot that was going to double the lead in the 22nd minute but unfortunately went inches above the bar.
KYSA only threatened Napsa Stars when Poncirio Kapampa put some power behind his legs before hitting the ball that was surely going for goal and equalize but Mukwanya’s body reflexed and parried the it over the bar in the 24th minute.
Napsa Stars started the second half on a high note which saw a corner kick from Austin Banda being converted into a goal by Musonda Kapembwa with a chipped in header in the 46th minute to make it two nil (2-0) for the Pensioners just remind everyone that ‘This Is Muzo’.
Later, Musonda Kapembwa converted a goal from the penalty spot after Hilary Mwiinga of KYSA could not be careful enough as he committed a hand ball inside the box in the 52nd minute to make it three one (3-0).
A consolation Goal for KYSA came in after an error from the defenders as Luka Banda scored an own goal using his back of the head in the 53rd minute of the game to make it three one (3-1) immediately after Kapembwa scored from the penalty spot.
Napsa Stars who were comfortably leading and dominating the game later displayed some skillful slick passes that cheered the Tangala fans who thought the kind of play they just witnessed deserves to be in the premier league.
KYSA who seemed not to know how to handle the ball in their box committed another foul on Austine Banda who was later awarded a penalty and contributed to the damaging of the opponent’s net from the penalty spot kick to make it four one (4-1) and conclude matters of the day.
Saturday’s win proved that Napsa Stars was still a better team as KYSA was beaten at their back yard by two goals to one (2-1) when they met in the first round of the season thanks to Simon Nkhata and Luka Banda’s goals.
In a post-match interview, Napsa Stars Head Coach Perry Mutapa expressed happiness with the result saying he is delighted that the team collected maximum three points.
He said the team played so well which is the more reason they beat KYSA and won the game.
Mutapa added that the team capitalized on the mistakes they made by fouling his players in the box and converted three penalty kicks into goals.
“We kept the ball well for a longer period and when they wanted to play, we pinned them and that is why we got a lot of penalties because we were going one on one with the goalkeeper or defender,” In-fact, we could have had more penalties but happy with the three points.” Mutapa said.
Despite the two previous loses against Young Green Buffaloes and MUZA FC, Mutapa said the team played well in those games and brought the same philosophy which made them score four goals.
The win has maintained Napsa Stars to third position with 43 points, two points behind second positioned MUZA FC who have 45 points and three points behind log leaders Lumwana Radiants with 46 points.
The journey of chasing the title continues as Napsa knocks on the doors of bottom positioned side Livingstone Pirates in a week 25 encounter.
Story by Harry Mfula and Gwen Chipasula