NAPSA Stars Football Club recorded their second loss of the season at the expense of Power Dynamos FC.
The Perry Mutapa coached side was punished despite enjoying a great game in their match week-five of the MTN Super League played at Arthur Davis Stadium last Saturday.
In a post-match interview, Assistant Coach Sipho Mumbi said the NAPSA Stars will not go to sleep but keep pushing to pick up positive results in the coming matches.
Power Dyanmos FC Faustin Bakodila’s wonder strike in the 45th minute was all Power Dynamos needed to defeat NAPSA Stars.
Unable to sit on the bench owing to the match ban he is serving, NAPSA Stars head coach Perry Mutapa could only watch from the stands as his former side carried the day.
As anticipated, it was end to end action from both teams leaving the fans getting worth their money.
The Pensioners posed the first goal threat in the match after a scuffle in the Power box, Chaniza Zulu’s eventual shot was deflected for a corner by Linos Makwaza in the fourth minute.
A minute later Power advanced, composing a number of good passes before Owen Tembo floated one deadly ball in the NAPSA Stars box, but skipper Luka Banda was on hand to head the ball out.
Power knocked once more in the 15th minute but NAPSA Stars remained compact restricting the home side to aimlessly shooting from long range with no much danger.
Joshua Mutale had a sight on goal but took his effort too high to trouble Rodwell Mukwanya in the NAPSA Stars goal.
In the 23rd minute, goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga was tested, sprinting from his line to deny Zulu from close range for Power to survive.
On the half-hour mark, Mukwanya spilled an Owen Tembo cross, but Power strikers Kennedy Musonda and Mwila could not take advantage as he reacted late allowing the keeper to collect.
At the stroke of half time, Power defender Bakodila scored a goal perfect for TV camera to power the home side into the lead.
Leading to the goal, defender Luka Chamanga’s corner was headed into Bakodila’s path by midfielder Leonard Mulenga.
The Congolese gracefully controlled the ball with his first touch before picking a spot from long range to score the opener.
The task to get back into the game was made harder for NAPSA Stars when Leonard Mulenga was sent off in the 64th minute after a crude challenge on Godfrey Ngwenya.
Mulenga was sitting on a yellow card accumulated from the first half leaving referee Audrick Nkole with no option but to send him off.
Five minutes later, NAPSA Stars got their few fans on their feet when Austin Banda’s shot rattled the net. Unknown to the fans, the ball actually hit the side net.
Power remained resolute, collecting their third win of the season to move to ten points.
The loss saw Pensioners stuck with five points, and dropping from 12th to 13th position on the log.
Full Squad:
Rodwell Mukwanya, Gift Zulu, Dickson Chapa, Luka Banda, Fredrick Mwimanzi, Leonard Mulenga (Red card 65’), Keegan Zulu (David Odhiambo 90’), Austin Banda, Sydney Kalume (Jimmy Mukeya 45’), Musonda Kapembwa (Boaster Siyoma 79’), Chaniza Zulu (Felix Banda 82’)
Ends.