SAKALA SINKS RANGERS AS MUMAMBA URGES PLAYERS TO FIGHT ON

Zambian Super League defending champions, ZESCO United yesterday beat Forest Rangers 0-1 in MTN Super League 29 fixture played at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium, Ndola.

Billed as the biggest derby in Ndola, ZESCO United came into yesterdays fixture hoping to get nothing less than a victory.

A clash between the two giants of the Zambian game always produces the spark that often comes with local derbies.

Following a barren first half, Enock Sakala scored the only goal of the match to separate men from boys.

A 57’ minute ferocious close range shot from John Chingandu was parried into the path of an onrushing Sakala with the latter releasing a powerful shot that left Daniel Mustshinemu helpless.

With only five games left to the close of the 2021/22 league season, ZESCO United could not afford to drop points.

ZESCO United’s crucial victory against Forest Rangers did very little in reducing the gap between league leaders Red Arrows who trounced over Nkwazi in a thrilling encounter that ended 2-3 in favors of the Airmen.

The league defending champions however, opened 3 points gap between themselves and 3^rd placed Green Eagles who drew 0-0 against Nkana.

Reacting to yesterday’s derby victory, coach Numba Mumamba urged his players to sustain their winning run until the end of the season.

“I must give credit to the players. They accounted for themselves very well. We controlled proceedings from start to finish and created a lot of chances. Getting a victory against Rangers is something we are happy with because they have been a thorn in our flesh.

“Like I said in the previous encounter we played them, we needed to stamp authority on them. We are bigger than them. We have done well for ourselves, getting the three points before going into another local derby on Saturday,” Mumamba said.

Mumamba still believes that ZESCO United can salvage something special from the remaining games provided they keep winning.

“The most important thing for us is not to look at what Red Arrows is doing but to keep winning so that we can consolidate our position on the league table and run away from the team that is following us. The games that are coming are crucial and important to us.

“We have always emphasized to our players on the need to fight hard because every team wants to beat us. However, beating these teams will require us to be at our best. We still have a bit of hope from the five remaining games,” he said.

ZESCO United will this Saturday host Buildcon in another Ndola derby scheduled for the Levy Mwanawasa stadium, Ndola.

Author: Desmond Katongo