Kansanshi Dynamos completed a season double over FC Leopards after a late Mathews Banda header secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the Week 32 encounter played at Independence Stadium.
Having already beaten FC Leopards 3-0 in the first round in Kabwe, the Mabanga Boys once again came out on top, this time leaving it late to claim all three points in front of the home crowd.
The visitors started brightly and earned the game’s first corner in the 6th minute, but goalkeeper Gwazani Banda rose well to deal with the danger.
Kansanshi soon settled into the contest and nearly opened the scoring in the 11th minute after Jackson Ngulube fouled Mathews Banda in the Leopards’ half. Francisco Madinga stepped up to take the resulting free kick, but Jeff Lungu produced a strong save to push the ball away for a corner.
Madinga continued to trouble the visitors with his deliveries and in the 19th minute his pinpoint corner found Faustina Bakodila, whose effort sailed over the crossbar.
FC Leopards responded in the 33rd minute through Jackson Ngulube, whose curling free kick narrowly missed the target.
Just before the break, Kalonji Mwepu led a dangerous attack for Kansanshi Dynamos, but the FC Leopards defence remained compact to clear the danger, while Garry Mwelwa also had an effort ruled out for offside in added time.
The second half continued at a high tempo, with FC Leopards threatening in the 51st minute when Richard Ocran fired a dangerous set piece goalward, only for Gwazani Banda to pull off a brilliant save.
Assistant coach Dennis Makinka made changes in the 60th minute, introducing Dalitso Lungu and Bebe Musangala for Willy Bokingo and Kizito Kezron respectively. The changes injected fresh energy into the Mabanga Boys attack.
Six minutes later, Dalitso Lungu rose highest from a corner kick but his header narrowly missed the target, brushing the side netting.
Kansanshi continued to push forward and in the 70th minute a swift counterattack ended with Bebe Musangala forcing another important save from Jeff Lungu after a powerful strike.
With the game appearing destined for a draw, the breakthrough finally arrived in the 88th minute. Kelvin Kapumbu delivered a pinpoint long throw into the box and Mathews Banda met it perfectly with a clinical header to send the home crowd into celebration and hand Kansanshi Dynamos all three points.
Speaking after the match, assistant coach Dennis Makinka praised the team’s determination and fighting spirit.
“First of all, congratulations to the team and also good luck to Leopards. I thought they really fought. A draw wouldn’t have been bad, but we needed this win because we are fighting to reach at least 47 or 48 points.
“It was a tough match as you saw. They were quick and physical, but we kept pushing and believed the goal would come, and eventually it did. Congratulations to the boys.”
Makinka also explained the decision to make changes in goal, saying the technical bench wanted to give opportunities to different players after recent strong performances from Greg.
Looking ahead to the next fixture against Nkwazi, Makinka called on the players to remain mentally strong and improve their finishing in front of goal.
“We need to work even harder because it will be more difficult against Nkwazi. They are also a quick team, so we must prepare well. We also need to improve our finishing because we created many chances today.”
