๐๐๐ป๐ฎ๐บ๐ผ๐ ๐๐น๐ฎ๐ถ๐บ ๐ก๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ ๐ฉ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ผ
The Mabanga Boys returned to winning ways at home, edging Zanaco FC 1โ0 in a hard-fought Week 19 MTN Super League encounter. A first-half moment of alertness from Francisco Madinga proved the difference as Kansanshi Dynamos secured all three points.
First Half
Zanaco showed early intent, forcing Gwanzani into a sharp save just four minutes in, but the hosts quickly grew into the game. Debutants Zeliat Nkhoma and Patrick Macheso were handed their first starts for the club, with Zeliat nearly creating an early breakthrough after pressing the goalkeeper and squaring for Patrick, only for the effort to fly over the bar.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 37th minute, Madinga reacting quickest to a goalkeeper error to fire the Mabanga Boys into the lead and lift the home crowd.
Second Half
Kansanshi Dynamos started the second half with a change as Kizito Keziron replaced Patrick Macheso. The Mabanga Boys continued to push forward, with Bebe Musangala and Madinga both coming close as the game opened up.
Zanaco searched for a way back, but Gwanzani Banda stood tall between the posts, producing crucial stops to protect the advantage. Bebe nearly produced a moment of magic from range, only for a brilliant save to deny him.
Coach Makinka turned to his bench in the 66th minute, introducing Mike Zozi and Brighton as the Mabanga Boys looked to maintain control. The visitors threatened late on, but a disciplined defensive display and another key intervention from Gwanzani kept the scoreline intact.
Brighton had a late one-on-one chance to seal it, while Zozi required brief treatment towards the end, but Kansanshi Dynamos held firm to claim a deserved victory at home.
๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ก๐ง ๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ โ ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฆ๐ง ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐
Assistant Coach Dennis Makinka described the victory as a tough but important result for the Mabanga Boys.
โFirst of all, good luck to Zanaco. They gave us a very good fight, the way they are playing, they can beat any team,โ he said.
โIโm proud of the boys because we applied ourselves very well, especially in transitions and on the counter-attacks.โ
Despite the win, Makinka admitted there is still work to do in front of goal after several missed chances.
โWe created a lot of chances today, and honestly I thought we could have scored even three. Thatโs an area we need to keep working on.โ
Looking ahead to the next fixture, the assistant coach emphasised the importance of consistency and mental focus.
โConsistency, consistency and again consistency. We must remain focused, keep clean sheets and work on the mental aspect because thatโs where we sometimes lose games.โ
Makinka also dismissed concerns about fatigue ahead of the upcoming away match.
โFatigue? Not really. The boys had a good rest and now we just need to prepare well because playing away wonโt be easy.โ
