Napsa Stars suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss to Green Buffaloes in our Week 12 encounter. The match, played at Woodlands Stadium, saw the hosts take an early lead through Simon Nkhata’s stunning goal in the 23rd minute. Nkhata’s rocket of a shot was expertly set up by Jimmy Mukeya’s pinpoint pass.
The goal sparked a lively atmosphere at the stadium, with the Napsa Stars fans urging the team on. However, Green Buffaloes slowly began to gain momentum, and their persistence paid off just before halftime. Lucky Bwalya scored in the 44th minute, leveling the scores and silencing the home crowd.
The second half saw Green Buffaloes come out stronger, determined to take the lead. Their efforts were rewarded in the 53rd minute, when Perkins scored the visitors’ second goal. Despite a late surge by Napsa Stars, the hosts were unable to find the equalizer, and Green Buffaloes claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory.
Assistant Coach Lawrence M. Lubinda described the game as “tough,” acknowledging that Green Buffaloes had capitalized on Napsa Stars’ mistakes. “The players made silly mistakes, and the experienced Green Buffaloes punished us,” he said. Lubinda also praised the visitors’ tactical approach, noting that they had effectively nullified Napsa Stars’ attacking threats.
Despite the setback, Lubinda remains optimistic about Napsa Stars’ chances in their next game. “Buffaloes have beaten us at our home ground, but if we prepare well, we can win our next fixture against Power Dynamos,” he said confidently. Lubinda also emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and moving forward. “We will analyze our performance, correct our mistakes, and come back stronger,” he assured.
The loss leaves Napsa Stars on 9th in the league standings, while Green Buffaloes move up to second position. Napsa Stars will look to bounce back in their next match against Power Dynamos, scheduled for 27th November 2024. With a strong team effort and a bit of luck, the Tangala Boys will be hoping to return to winning ways and climb up the league table.