Kansanshi Dynamos were denied a crucial victory after Mines United scored a late equaliser in stoppage time to force a 1–1 draw in their Week 26 MTN Super League encounter played on Wednesday.
The Mabanga Boys started the match with intent and looked dangerous in the early stages. In the 3rd minute, Mathews Banda tested the hosts’ goalkeeper with a strong effort, but the shot was comfortably collected.
Mines United responded moments later after a back pass from Mathews Mutambo almost resulted in trouble for Kansanshi Dynamos, but the hosts failed to capitalize on the resulting corner.
Kansanshi Dynamos eventually broke the deadlock in the 9th minute, when Bebe Musangala found the back of the net to give the visitors a deserved lead.
The visitors continued to push forward and nearly doubled their advantage in the 25th minute. Brian Mwila rose to meet a well-delivered cross from Musangala, but his header went just wide of the target.
Julius Mwanza also came close to extending the lead after finding space in front of goal, but his effort curled narrowly around the post.
Mines United attempted to respond after the break and created a few chances of their own. In the 60th minute, Heskey Malikoni delivered a dangerous cross into the box, but Panji Mwanza arrived a moment too late to connect with it.
Kansanshi Dynamos were forced into changes during the second half. Garry Mwelwa, who had come on at the start of the second half, was forced off after picking up a knock and was replaced by Mubita Mubita. Later in the match, Mathews Banda was also substituted due to injury, with Joseph Chomba coming on in his place.
The hosts continued to push for an equaliser, but Kansanshi Dynamos remained resolute at the back. In the 68th minute, Bakodila made a crucial block to deny Mines United a clear scoring opportunity.
The match took another turn in the 80th minute when Kansanshi Dynamos were reduced to ten men after Brighton Kabumba received his second yellow card.
Despite being a man down, the Mabanga Boys continued to defend strongly. Mines United nearly found the equaliser in the 83rd minute when Bwalya Armanuo fired an effort just wide of the goal.
Deep into stoppage time, Kansanshi Dynamos goalkeeper Gwanzani produced an excellent save to deny Doisy Soko after a powerful shot, pushing the ball out for a corner which was well defended.
However, just moments later, Mines United finally found the breakthrough in the 92nd minute when Nguni Luka scored to level the match and deny Kansanshi Dynamos all three points.
Post-Match Reaction
Assistant coach Dennis Makinka expressed disappointment with the late equaliser, pointing to a lapse in concentration in the closing moments of the match.
Makinka admitted that the team could have handled the final stages better, particularly after being reduced to ten men.
“I think there was a lapse in concentration towards the end of the game, especially after we got the red card. But that is not an excuse because I thought we could have done better. Mines only had one route, they were trying to put the ball behind the defence, and we just needed to manage that better.”
He also highlighted poor communication in the defensive moments leading to the equaliser.
“We didn’t communicate well in those final moments. There were only a few seconds remaining before the end of the game, so it is very disappointing.”
Makinka further lamented the missed chances that could have secured a more comfortable victory for Kansanshi Dynamos.
“We had a lot of chances and this has been our problem. It’s something we work on every day in training. Even today we had many opportunities in the first half and even in the second half when we were leading. I thought we could have scored more, but we missed too many chances and they only had one opportunity and scored.”
Despite the setback, Makinka remains confident the team can improve with several matches still remaining in the season.
“There are still nine games to go and we are not in a bad position where we are sitting. We just need to change the mindset and start believing that wherever we go we can pick maximum points. Everyone needs to take responsibility, from the goalkeeper to the strikers.”
The assistant coach also revealed the team will take time to recover during the international break after a demanding schedule that included long travel distances.
“We have been playing games back-to-back and travelling a lot, so we will give the players a few days off to refresh and regroup. Then we will come back and focus on picking maximum points because we still believe we can finish in the top ten.”
Makinka also acknowledged the absence of Mwepu Kalonji, noting the impact it had on the team’s balance.
“We have created a good understanding between Mwepu and Bebe, so today we missed that chemistry. But that is football, sometimes you have injuries or other situations. Other players have to step in.”
