Log leaders Napsa Stars Football Club were yesterday held to a goalless draw by relegation threatened Zesco Malaiti Rangers in a week-20 match of the FAZ/Eden National Division League at Lusaka’s Woodlands Stadium.
At the start of the game, Napsa Stars stood out to be a better side when Austine Banda’s strong free kick shot was saved by Malaiti Goal Keeper Tyton Zulu in the 5th minute of the game.
Few moments later, the pensioners had a great chance of sending the home fans into cheerful noise when Midfielder Simon Nkhata’s strong long-range shot was denied by the goal keeper seven minutes after the start of the game.
Zesco Malaiti Rangers were going to take the lead in the 36th minute of the game after Victor Nyirenda’s Volley went slightly above the goal post.
David Odhiambo’s powerful header went few inches wide from the right bar after Austine Banda delivered a cross in the 18-yard box from a conner kick.
The second half began with Zesco Malaiti Rangers threatening the home side when the ball landed in the legs of Kondwani Chungu in the 48th minute after Musonda Kapambwe failed to completely clear it.
Rodwell Mukwanya came to the rescue of the home side team when he saved a deadly one-on-one shot that came from Malaiti’s substitute Benson Kaluba in the 60th minute.
In the dying minutes of the game, Napsa Stars had the last chance of recording their third straight victory when Gift Zulu’s Spectacular header that was tapped from a Kennan Phiri’s Cross was collected by the Goalkeeper.
In a post-match interview, Napsa Stars Head Coach Perry Mutapa described the game to be a disappointment after failing to beat Zesco Malaiti Rangers.
“In this case, both the performance and result were below par,”
“I think Malaiti are happy to come out with a draw but it is a sad result for us.” Mutapa said.
The coach said the team will go back and train in preparation for their next game against Luapula Green Eagles.
Yesterday’s result still maintained Napsa Stars on the top of the table with 39 points from the 20 games played recording a total of 11 wins, six draws and three losses while Zesco Malaiti Rangers are now 17th on the log having played 20 games with four wins, five draws and 11 losses.
Napsa Stars will still look forward to maintain the top position in their away next game when they face Luapula Green Eagles in the week 21 fixture this Saturday.
Story by Harry Mfula