Moses Phiri’s strike from a set piece was enough as Zanaco beat Premier League rivals Nkana 1 – 0 in a Bola yapa Zed Zambian Super League fixture played at Sunset Stadium this afternoon.

The match started on a high note with Nkana causing all sorts of problems for the hosts in the opening exchanges. Jimmy Njlhovu and Claude Bwalya at the center of the Nkana attack.

Nkana almost took the lead in the 25th minute, Simon Bwalya’s lovely chip over Zanaco goalkeeper Raja Kola just hitting the crossbar.

Nkana were relentless and they were unlucky not to score two goals in the first half as Simon Bwalya continued to give the Zanaco defence a torrid time. The two teams went into the break without any goals.

Zanaco regrouped in the second half and settled more on the ball and their efforts paid off eventually.

The pacy Moses Phiri came on as a substitute replacing Dave Daka and immediately set the match alive with dazzling runs in behind the Nkana defence.

Phiri opened the scoring from a well taken freekick from 25 yards curling a rightfooted shot around the wall and leaving Nkana goalkeeper Scot Ngokene frozen and helpless as he watched the ball sail into the left corner of his net.

Phiri’s celebration a highlight of the match as he rushed to the bench, grabbed his phone and took a selfie with his teammates.

The goal proving to be the match winner in the end as Zanaco coach Numba Mumamba out thinks his former mentor Aggrey Chiyangi and collects all the maximum points.

And speaking after being voted man of the match, Moses Phiri described the game as tough.

“I am very happy to be selected man of the match and also to score a goal. It is never easy to beat Nkana because they are strong,” he said.

Image courtesy of Zanaco Football Club.