The battle for second place continues with NAPSA Stars pushing to be part of it, with their latest 2-0 victory over Nchanga Rangers in yesterday’s week-31 of the MTN Super League.
Team Head Coach, Perry Mutapa has said that his team has found themselves in the fight for the second position and will therefore give it their best shot to grab it.
The slot, which is the only one remaining for CAF Inter-Club Competitions qualification, after the first one has been grabbed by Power Dynamos FC, will see clubs in the top nine all fighting for it.
With the competitiveness of the 2022/23 season, all teams in the top nine will have a chance to fight, looking at how there’s only a difference of six points between the second and the ninth placed team.
Coach Perry Mutapa has stated that he is not putting his players under pressure, but having found themselves vying for this position, the coach has also advised his boys to go for it.
The pensioners who have already managed to achieve their goal of the season which was to secure their slot in the league next season, are now looking at qualifying for CAF Confederations Cup, but will have to go past Nkana, Forest Rangers and Prison Leopards as their last remaining fixtures to conclude the league.
Army side, Green Buffalos are also pushing for this slot as they are third on the log with 48 points, and still have a match to play against Kansanshi Dynamos FC today.
In fourth place is Ndola side Forest Rangers who have 47 points after 31 games played.
Mazabuka outfit FC MUZA are also in serious contention having been placed fifth on the log with 47 points, but still have an abandoned match against Red Arrows FC.
And in yesterday’s match, the visitors Nchanga Rangers issued their first threat as early as the 9th minute with a Ceil Ebengo’s shot that hit the post, but NAPSA Stars responded with a Musonda Kapembwa header in the 19th minute to lead the game.
Kapembwa benefited from Augustin Mulenga’s cross.
In the 22nd minute, Jimmy Mukeya who started this match ahead of injured Zikiru Adams, ran past Nchanga defense but his shot was well collected by Nchanga goalkeeper.
Another opportunity came in the 24th minute for Kapembwa to make it two for NAPSA Stars but the forward took wide, his shot which he benefited from a Simon Nkhata well taken cross.
The Pensioners kept knocking on Ranger’s door, for a second goal with another chance coming from Augustine Mulenga in the 39th minute but he took his effort wide.
Mulenga also provided another assist for NAPSA’s second goals which came in the 88th minute of the match through a Fredrick Mwimanzi header.
The two goals were enough to see NAPSA Stars reclaim second position which they will be hoping to hold on to depending on today’s remaining fixtures between Kansanshi and Green Buffalos FC.
“A big game for us especially after a draw against Chambishi. The fight is on the top two and we will give it our best shot,”
“Three remaining games to go, if we can take it, we will, if we won’t, we have done well and I am proud, but we are in it so we will give it our best shot,” Were the words of Head Coach Perry Mutapa after the match.
The coach also acknowledged that his team has another difficult game against a wounded Nkana team that has lost their two last matches.
“We are playing a wounded team and they will be playing at home, it will be difficult, but we are looking at cementing the second position,” Coach Perry added.
NAPSA STARS X1
Rodwell Mukwanya, Gift Zulu, Luka Banda, Keegan Zulu, Fredrick Mwimanzi, Daniel Adoko (Chaniza Zulu 77’), Simon Nkhata (Dickson Chapa 64’), Lonard Mulenga, Augustin Mulenga, Jimmy Mukeya (Austine Banda 64’), Musonda Kapembwa (Boster Siyoma 87’).