NAPSA Stars Football Club claimed another vital three points in their away game, defeating Zanaco Football Club by a goal to nil in their MTN Super League week-28 match played at Edwin Imboela Stadium on Sunday.
Having gone into the international break on the back of two consecutive victories, the Pensioners pushed to maintain their good form, playing against a Zanaco side which was in desperate search of their first win since January.
Intent from NAPSA Stars came early as they evidently dictated play as early as the third minute, with Musonda Kapembwa ballooning his effort after a well taken Augustine Mulenga cross.
The hosts responded with a 28th minute chance that saw Francis Mustafa failing to connect a well curled Taonga Bwembya cross from inside the boss.
Another chance was presented to Zanaco in the 45th and 48th minute with Luka Banda clearing both chances by Chawanangwa Kaonga and Lassa Kiala respectively.
In the 59th minute, NAPSA Stars had a better opportunity fall on them with Ghanian Daniel Adoko having his well taken shot cleared by his fellow country mate Kevin Owusu.
Finally, the breakthrough came in for NAPSA Stars in the 59th minute when Zikiru Adams benefited from a stylish Musonda Kapembwa pass to give an excellent finish and see NAPSA Stars lead the game.
In search of an equalizer, Zanaco’s Siamujopa unleashed a well taken free kick in the 67th minute which hit the post.
Siamujopa continued to trouble the Pensioners’ backline and could have capitalized from the free kicks taken in the 85th and 86th respectively, but all his efforts went futile.
Earlier before this, NAPSA Stars had a couple of their own chances coming from Daniel Adoko and David Odhiambo in the 79th and 81st minute respectively.
And being a local derby, the match was no short of drama with NAPSA Stars captain Luka Banda being sent off in the 87th minute after getting a second yellow card for a foul on Chawanangwa Kaonga.
In a post-match interview, Coach Perry Mutapa described the game as good for his side stating that the positive vibes displayed during the preparations for this match were reflected in the match.
The coach who was happy that his boys were getting closer to reaching the relegation mark also added that he has advised his boys not to be excited by the win and focus on the next match against Green Buffalos FC.
The victory over Zanaco has taken NAPSA Stars fifth on the log from the 10th position which the team dropped to after the Saturday matches.
The Pensioners, who are just 10 points and three points behind the first and second placed teams respectively, have 42 points from the 28 games played.
NAPSA STARS X1
Roswell Mukwanya, David Odhiambo, Luka Banda (Red Card 87’), Fredrick Mwimanzi, Gift Zulu, Leonard Mulenga, Daniel Adoko, Chaniza Zulu (Austin Banda 78’), Augustine Mulenga (Keegan Zulu 78’), Musonda Kapembwa, Zikiru Adams (Luka Nguni 89’).
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