A 47th minute goal from Chipo Sondashi was enough to frustrate the pensioners hopes of ending the winless drought during a week-23 Eden National Division One League encounter with FC MUZA.
Napsa Stars who are league title bound were beaten by rivalries MUZA via a one nil score line in a week 23 fixture played on Saturday at Mazabuka’s Nakambala Stadium.
The first half of the game was clearly dominated by the visiting team which looked promising to produce a goal that could have silenced the home team fans.
Goal poacher Musonda Kapambwe’s powerful shot was parried by MUZA’s goalkeeper Jairos Tembo into the box but there was no yellow shirt to hit the rebound and make the visiting team take the lead in the 10th minute of the game.
MUZA rarely threatened Napsa Stars in the first half of the game as the only scary moment came in the 13th minute when Mwiya Mwiya’s shot went straight in the palms of Rabson Muchelenganga.
The game which experienced some heavy rains could not stop the two title contenders from wanting to score first and have hopes of grabbing the three maximum points.
It was few minutes into the start of the second half when the Masautso Tembo coached side took the lead in the 47th minute of the game through Chipo Sondash’s powerful header connected from a Mwiya Mwiya free kick delivery.
The pensioners had quiet chances of equalizing and making sure they shared points but the match was full of delaying tactics by MUZA’s goal keeper who was later shown a yellow card before the game even approached the dying minutes.
During a post-match interview, Napsa Stars Head coach Perry Mutapa was left fuming and expressed disappointment with the officiating of the game as he says the match officials seemed to be biased flashed a number of yellow cards to his players.
“What is losing in Zambia is football especially here that we heard it is always unfair for visiting teams and today we have seen it for ourselves.” Mutapa said.
When he was asked about him facing his former assistant coach Masautso Tembo who is MUZA’S current Head coach, Mutapa said it was not about names winning but teams at the end of the day.
The loss took Napsa Stars to third position on the log with 40 points while MUZA FC have taken up the second position sitting on 42 points behind log leaders Lumwana Radiants who have 43 points.
The pensioners next game is at home against KYSA in a week 24 fixture to be played at Woodlands stadium.