A late equalizer by Young Green Eagles FC was enough to delay NAPSA’s qualification to the ABSA Cup after yesterday’s midweek fixture played at Khosa Stadium.
The two teams battled to a one all draw in their Eden National Division One week -15 fixture to see the Pensioners move to 31 points, and extending their lead on the log by six points.
The Pensioners dominated the first half and managed to get a goal as early as the 13th minute through a Simon Nkhata long ranger shot, but could not capitalize on their many other chances to bury the game just in the first half.
Young Green Eagles knew exactly what they wanted in the second half despite missing a number of good chances with more notable ones in the 57th minute when Martin Zulu’s shot was cleared by David Odhiambo just near the line.
In the 70th minute, Robert Chifunda’s shot was denied by NAPSA Stars Goalkeeper Rodwell Mukwanya with another chance coming just five minutes after this effort.
The pressure mounted on the Pensioners who were forced to make a substitution to replace striker Kennan Phiri for defensive midfielder Daniel Adoko in the 71st minute.
Coach Perry Mutapa made another substitution in the 85th minute introducing Austin Banda for Simon Nkhata.
It was until the 96th minute when the host managed to get a late equalizer through Robert Chifunda who benefited from a slow reaction to a free kick from NAPSA defense.
This angered NAPSA Stars FC bench who complained that the fourth official had already signaled five minutes as additional time, with referee taking the game to the sixth minute.
And in a post-match interview, NAPSA Stars FC head Coach Perry Mutapa said he was happy with his team’s performance despite being disappointed in the last minute.
The coach made two changes to his starting 11, resting Austin Banda and Kapembwa Musonda with Kennan Phiri and Chanda Mushili.
“Very big performance from the boys. We changed the line up from the one which started last week, we played a better game because we had some fresh legs,” Coach Mutapa said.
Midfielder Musonda Kapembwa was an unused substitute in this match.
And with this result, the Pensioners will need a point to confirm their ABSA Cup qualification . The next two matches to conclude the first half will be against TRIDENT and GOMES.
Starting 11
- Rodwell Mukwanya
- Luka Banda
- Luka Nguni
- David Odhiambo
- Gift Zulu
- Keegan Zulu
- Joseph Malambwa
- Chanda Mushili
- Simon Nkhata
- Thomas Banda
- Kennan Phiri