Zambia Super League Week 12 Scores and Latest League Standings
Green Buffaloes maintained and increased to five -point lead at the top of the Super League after winning 2-0 at home to ZESCO United on Sunday. GBFC’s town mates Lusaka Dynamos also won, beating Nkwazi 2-1 to stay 9th, thanks to an inspired performance and an excellent free kick from Joseph Ochaya to win it for the elite.
Zanaco benefited from the loss of Nkwazi and leapfrogged them after Lusaka Dynamos beat them at their back yard. Nkwazi had enjoyed a very good run which saw them enjoy top eight for two weeks.
Power Dynamos remain third, thanks to Kysa holding Nkana 2-2 in Kabwe in what is now believed to be the shock of Week 12. Kysa came from behind 2-0 to salvage a point at home against a very good Nkana team.
Here are all the scores from Week 12 matches :
Green Buffaloes 2-0 ZESCO United
Nkwazi 1-2 Lusaka Dynamos
Red Arrows 1-1 Forest Rangers
Napsa Stars 1-1 Power Dynamos
kysa 2-2 Nkana
Nakambala Leopards 0-2 Buildcon
Nchanga Rangers 0-0 Green Eagles
Kabwe Warriors 3-1 Lumwana Radiants
New Monze Swallows 0-1 Zanaco
Kitwe United 3-0 National Assembly
Refer to the league table and see what those results mean for the teams.
Briefs
Green Buffaloes had to wait until half time to finally break the defending Champions’ resolve. The opening goal came courtesy of striker Youremember Banda, with the former Napsa striker capping off a typically intricate GBFC passing move.
One of the leaders’ most creative players, Mike Katiba, was called upon defensively to preserve the advantage when he cleared most of the passes in dangerous areas and he had a good game that was clear to see that GBFC players enjoyed a good day at the office . 32 minutes later, GBFC had salted away the game thanks to Diamond Chikwekwe ‘s fierce drive and run in the box were he was given no choice but to score.
The leaders reinforced their title credentials with the win and they remain the only team unbeaten at home and have lost the fewest number of games (1). Though not neutrals favourite, GBFC are accounting themselves very well in the thick of the race. As things stand now you can only count them out of the race at your own peril.
Kabwe Warriors are still in the mix after Emmanuel Okutu scored the second hat trick of the season joining Chris Mugalu who was the only hat trick hero before Week 12 . Okutu was in supreme form and is already one if the players targeting the golden boot. Who can doubt that?
Nkana are unlikely to mount a credible title challenge this season, but the sixth-placed Kitwe giants did boost their hopes of a top-four finish by emphatically leading 2-0 away at KYSA only to allow the newly promoted side come back to claim a point. Ronald Kampamba put Nkana ahead and Idriss Mbombo doubled for the 12 times super league champions. But the never give up attitude of KYSA is proving paying off who now are counting five points from the 12 games played. They remain second from bottom.
Zanaco went ahead of Nkwazi on goal difference (by one) after sweeping aside New Monze Swallows in Monze with room to spare in that game in hand against Nkana . For the first time this season, Charles Zulu was the star of the show, with the Zanaco winger scoring the lone goal that levels the ground with Nkana and only behind on goal difference (by six) . The two have the game in hand coming up soon.
Charles Zulu became the 11th player to score for Zanaco this season.
Nkana and Zanaco are where they should be on the table, but Forest Rangers are continuing to defy expectations. The Ndola outfit have been exceptional and they made quick work of Red Arrows leading at Nkoloma only to allow the ZAF outfit coming back and claim a point at .
With a rock-solid defence and a direct method of attacking capable of unsettling the division’s big boys, Forest ‘s run appears set to continue. By contrast, Red Arrows ‘s draw has left the club 13th while Forest are fifth, same points with fourth placed Kabwe Warriors .
New Monze Swallows still sit at the foot of the table after being beaten at home again where they have only collected one point with the other point coming away in Chingola against Nchanga Rangers .
Kitwe United have been in solid form lately and were impressive in dismantling National Assembly . Three unanswered goals were enough to push United to 10th position with consequences of pushing National Assembly in the relegation zone.
The home side played fluid football and National Assembly do not know what has suddenly hit them . Assembly are in the red zone , and their strong start to the season is beginning to fade, with four losses, one draw and a win in their last six games.
My Summary
Things aren’t anywhere near clear favorite at the top, but Green Buffaloes have at least done all they could to stay top. Even so, the other chasing pack are showing few weaknesses and no sign that we have a clear favorite as at close of week 12.
The determination of KYSA is showing us that they are not far from picking their maiden win in the super league. They are an impressive team that are fighting together.
For New Monze Swallow, surviving is a bridge too far and they should start preparing for life back in the Zones. This one was too big for them.
Join me in Week 13 for another wrap up and Preview.
Enjoy the week
