NKANA 1 NAPSA 0
A Diamond Chikwekwe lone goal was enough to see Nkana FC beat NAPSA Stars in a week-32 match of the MTN Super League played at Nkana Stadium yesterday.
After a dull first half with little goalmouth action, the second half presented the only goal of the game in the 86the minute when Chikwekwe pounced on a loose ball from close range to get Nkana the lead.
But despite these dull moments, the visitors were looking like a better side to carry the day despite not capitalizing on their many chances.
The match also saw NAPSA Stars midfielder Augustine Mulenga get substituted in the 37th minute after picking up ana injury.
Mulenga was replaced with Jimmy Mukeya, with Coach Perry making another substitution in the 68th minute to introduce Austine Banda for Simon Nkhata.
And despite the loss, Coach Perry was proud of his boys’ performance in this match and commended the team for putting up a good fight.
The loss by NAPSA Stars also saw the Perry Mutapa coached side end their seven-game unbeaten run, and a delay in their recent hopes of trying to qualify for Continental football.
The loss has also seen NAPSA Stars drop on the log from second to fourth place, stuck with 49 points.
The Pensioners are now a point behind second played FC MUZA and a step behind ZESCO United who third owing to goal difference.
“It is not NAPSA Stars that has lost for me it is football that has lost because if you see how we played we were the better team, we passed the ball very well and that is how football should be,” said NAPSA coach Perry Mutapa said.
NAPSA Stars will host Forest Rangers FC in their next match then visit Prison Leopards FC in Kabwe for their last encounter.