Keeping the North-Western Dream alive
In the 2016 season Lumwana Radiants survived relegation with two points from the drop zone and had that nerve end towards the end with fans thinking it would be a return to the zones.
The objective for the first season in the super League was to survive and they did manage to do just that.
The team won nine games, drawn 11 and lost 14 in their maiden season and in the process scoring 23 goals and allowing 31.
They were happy they had survived as that saw Mufulira Blackpool and Lusaka Tigers get relegated
The 2017 Season
So different from the happening of the 2016 season with Lumwana starting on a high and staying in the top four with the likes of Zanaco, Power Dynamos, Zesco United and Green Buffaloes in the early days if the season and they would lead the table in week six.
At that stage, fans following Lumwana started thinking this was the time for them to be counted among the big teams in the FAZ MTN Super League.
It has been an amazing season and the start to the season was exceptional. Lumwana Radiants didn’t lose the first six games, winning four and drawing two.
The team was becoming untouchable until Nchanga Rangers came visiting on 20th May 2017 at Lumwana grounds with a sweet victory for the visitors with the game ending 2-0. Bwalya Kasonde and Martin Njobvu the scorers that inflicted the first loss to Lumwana and consequently the first loss of the season at home.
That loss to Nchanga opened a run of bad results and had to lose the following away game to Nkana with a 3-1 score line and under pressure helped Nkana with an own goal from Enock Chingwele in the 60th minute.
Things were starting looking bleak when Lumwana lost again away to Green Buffaloes 1-0 even after an excellent game, found themselves down and lost another precious three points.
By week 10 when Lumwana Radiants lost to Green Buffaloes , it was clear that teams needed to take Radiants seriously , it was never easy playing for team that had well settled in the league.
Away Form
Lumwana Radiants have had six draws away from home from the 19 games played and they have bugged 31 points in victories on the road with I think the most memorable being the 3-0 away at Zesco United.
Crucial wins could also be remembered at Mufulira Wanderers and Nkwazi away coupled by the lone goal at a difficult Nakambala stadium. These have been good wins and wins that will make Lumwana finish in the top eight at the end of the season.
There have been results too on the road which Lumwana Radiants would have hoped they did better. The total number of losses are six and perhaps they will look at the double loss, home and away to Nchanga Rangers as the most painful. Power Dynamos have also done a double over Lumwana Radiants.
Very good away Record for Lumwana in the 2017 season.
Home Form
Lumwana’s strength in 2016 was at home and it was those home games that made them survive relegation.
Lumwana Ground was a fortress and it’s not different in the 2017 season were the team bugged eight wins and doing a sweet revenge to Green Buffaloes who beat them in the first round.
They lost five games this season at home and yet to play Buildcon on the last day, the team they beat already away in Ndola. They also have five draws at home.
Strength
Defense and the tactics of both Bestone Chambeshi and Zeddy Saileti should be applauded but the end has again showed that Zeddy Saileti is one coach that improves with every challenge that comes his way. He has done well and even when Lumwana lost key players at the mid of the season like Simon Nkhata, he kept the team in shape and kept the team fighting.
Key Players
My pick remains Jospehat Kasusu who was discarded at Kabwe Warriors after finishing his loan move from Nkana but his form at Lumwana could not be ignored and am sure Kabwe Warriors should be regretting letting him go. Some of the key points Lumwana has gotten are because of his eye for goal and knowing were to be.
Chanda Mushili could as well be in the line to be the key player of the season and perhaps the best player of the season. Will have to wait of what those behind the team look at the players.
Allan Kapila needs mention and I don’t kbkw why the Lumwana Captain has not made it to the national team. He is one reason the tram staNdabala stable and can compete at whatever level on the pitch. The lad has shown true leadership for Lumwana for the past two seasons now.
Future Prospect
Lumwana Radiants has shown great pedigree and should stop the mare participating in the league but fight for honors. This was a season of learning and they have to up the game by going for more experience and individual brilliance to push the team in difficult times.
Harder na Radiants
