NAPSA Stars 1–1 Kansanshi Dynamos
Reiz Arena, Lusaka
Kansanshi Dynamos once again failed to turn a promising start into maximum points, settling for a 1-1 draw against NAPSA Stars in a tightly contested Week 10 fixture played at Reiz Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The Mabanga Boys started brightly, showing good composure after the opening quarter-hour and creating several promising chances.
In the 11th minute, goalkeeper Gwezani was alert to deny NAPSA a close-range header before Francisco Madinga tested the hosts’ keeper with a low strike in the 13th minute. Brighton Chomba then came close in the 22nd minute, narrowly heading wide inside the box.
Kizito Kezeron’s powerful effort in the 37th minute also missed by inches, while NAPSA’s Jimmy Mukeya forced a save from Gwezani on the stroke of halftime.
Kansanshi carried their positive play into the second half and were rewarded in the 49th minute when Francisco Madinga netted his first goal for the club, finishing off a fine move assisted by Rodgers Lukonde.
However, the hosts kept pressing and eventually leveled through Augustine Mulenga in the 77th minute after sustained pressure. Kansanshi had a late chance to reclaim the lead in the 90th minute, but Mwepu Kalonji’s effort went narrowly wide. Both sides had chances deep in stoppage time, but neither could find the winner.
After the match, Head Coach Zeddy Saileti expressed disappointment at his team’s inability to defend their early lead:
“I think we played well, but we should have defended better after scoring first. We had the advantage, but we failed to protect it. NAPSA put us under pressure with long balls, and we lost concentration at crucial moments.”
He added:
“It’s positive that we’re now scoring, but we need to kill the game by getting a second goal. Mentally, we must be stronger and focused for the full 90 minutes. We’ll go back, work on that, and prepare to get maximum points in our next game.”
Kansanshi Dynamos will now shift focus to their next fixture as they continue their search for a first league win of the season.
