Napsa Stars secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zanaco FC in the return leg of their encounter, having previously beaten them by the same margin in the first leg.
The match, played at Woodlands Stadium this afternoon, started on a high note with the visitors seeking to level the score. However, NAPSA Stars took charge of the game from the onset, dominating possession and creating scoring opportunities.
The midfield duo of Rally Bwalya and Collins Sikombe proved instrumental in tormenting the Zanaco midfield, while the home fans were treated to an entertaining display of football.
The first half ended goalless, but Napsa Stars returned from the break with renewed hunger to score. Their persistence paid off in the 63rd minute when Collins Sikombe found the back of the net, courtesy of an assist from Mathews Tolopa.
Newly signed central defender Abeli Ntamako Safari put in an impressive performance, earning him the Man of the Match award.
Napsa Stars’ First Assistant Coach, Lawrence M Lubinda, described the win as “a sweet victory.” “The boys worked hard during training, brought their A-game on game day, and won,” he said.
When asked about Safari’s performance, Lubinda praised the young player, saying, “We need to build his confidence, and we’re happy he played well today.”
The win moves Napsa Stars from 10th to 9 position on the Zambian Premier League Table.
The win marks a significant milestone for Napsa Stars, and they will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures.