Napsa Stars Football Club maintained their top position after trashing Kitwe United Football Club by a goal to nil on Saturday in a Week 19 Eden National Division One League second leg fixture played at Kitwe’s Garden Park Stadium.
It was another sweet repeated victory for Napsa Stars against the Kitwe based side team after the same score line was recorded when Kitwe United was hosted at Woodlands Stadium in the first round.
At the start of the game, Napsa Stars looked to be a better side as it came in with more composure than the home team.
The captain of the day David Odhiambo’s deadly shot which set the tone of the game was cleared by Kitwe United’s defender Tudor Chisanga in the 6th minute of the game.
Few minutes later, the goal came from Keegan Zulu in the 12th minute with a strong header, sending the ball in the left corner of the net which made Kitwe United goal keeper Watson Mvula to outstretch but could not even slightly touch the ball thanks to an Austine Banda assist connected from a Luka Ng’uni throw in.
Kitwe United’s Andrew Banda had a chance of quickly equalizing in the 15th minute but failed to convert a cross into a goal as he clearly wasted the chance by hitting the ball way wide that made the Chingalika fans mummer with disappointment.
Another threatening moment from the home based team came in the 28th minute when Luka Ng’uni failed to clear the ball which found itself in the legs of Kabangwe Mwaba who hit the far left goal post before it bounced off the goal line and later was collected by Napsa Stars Goal Keeper Rodwell Mukwanya.
The second Half seemed to be competitive has both teams looking to be angry for goals.
Later, Chanda Mushili came in for Simon Nkhata in the 62nd minute and had hit his third rebound which went slightly above the goal in the 76th minute.
Kitwe United almost equalized in the dying minutes of additional time, when the ball was cleared from the box before the center referee blew the final whistle.
In a post-match interview, NAPSA Head Coach Perry Mutapa described the game as a tough one, adding that it was rare to pick a win with the intimidating fans that Kitwe United has.
He however said the team performed well and managed to pick a win despite the intimidation.
Commenting on the veteran midfielder Sydney Kalume’s debut, Mutapa said the player had an impressive start and believes he will even become better in the next games.
Napsa Stars win has taken them to the top of the table with 36 points and their next game is at home in the week 20 fixture against Zesco Malaiti Rangers who are at the bottom of the table with 16 points.
Story by Harry Mfula