Nkana saw their top four hunt hit a snag in week 12 after Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy came back from 2-0 down to secure a 2-2 draw at Godfrey Chitalu Stadium.
Captain Peter Chinyama scored his first goal of the season to complete the comeback in the 64th minute to get a well-deserved point in a game that looked like farfetched after Nkana had ended the first half comfortably leading 2-0. Knowing nothing but a victory would keep them in the top four with the other teams above dropping points, Nkana stormed into a two goal first-half lead with Ronald Kampamba (30) and Idris Mbombo (45) netting within 15 minutes of each other.
KYSA, buoyed by the introduction of Mulenga Chewe, were right back in it in the 48th minute thanks to Patrick Kasongo’s spot kick, leaving a nervous 48 minutes for both Nkana and Mufulira Wanderers, whose fans watched the game with a cautious way of celebrating. The game was well followed by neutrals who were interested to see how it would end for their teams on the log table.
Nkana started the game on sixth position and ended on the same position blowing out the chance of going second with the superior goal difference that they have against all the teams in the top four. Nkana knew nothing but a win would keep them in touch with the league leaders.
Nothing had been made of KYSA’s desire to end Nkana’s 100% record away from home and all pundits and analysts wouldn’t have given KYSA a chance especially that the Kitwe outfit was at the same stadium a fortnight ago celebrating a famous win against Kabwe Warriors.
The away team was celebrating again in the 44th minute as Idris continued his fine form with his eight goal of the season at the stroke of half time, and the forward fired a right into the net to count goal number eight of the season and now leads the pack from the rest.
However, KYSA seemed to be energised after the break and whatever Chewe told the boys seemed to have turned them right into the game. The comeback was complete later and it was the captain goal. Nkana’s frustrations boiled over in the last minutes knowing the two points were almost dropped and KYSA made runs that would as well help them to keep Nkana at bay.
I asked Chewe what he told his players at the break:
“Nothing much, I told them not to fear Nkana because they were also 11 men on the pitch and they were very capable to get something from Nkana.”
What the coach thinks about the next fixture away at Zesco:
The win is coming very soon and we are going to ZESCO United next, as much as I respect Zesco United, I do not fear them. The game against Nkana is under the bridge and now the focus is on Zesco Unite,” said Coach Chewe.
The coach who has coached at Konkola Blades, Mufulira Wanderers, Kalulushi Modern Stars and Rail Stars in Zimbabwe is very sure of making KYSA survive relegation .
Kysa is still winless after 12 games as their 5 points are all coming from the draws.
