NKANA WOES DEEPEN

By MICHAEL MIYOBA AFTER playing 23 games in the MTN Super Division, relegation-bound Kitwe United finally celebrated their first win of the season with a come-from-behind victory beating old time city rivals Nkana FC 2-1 in a lively Kitwe derby. played. The loss was costly for the defending champions as it confined them to the relegation zone but a morale booster for their opponents. Kitwe United benefitted from goal keeper Talbert Shumba’s clumsy goal keeping skills in the dying minutes of the game to pick their first win of the season. Nkana had begun the rescheduled Week-23 fixture at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe on a positive note and went ahead just after two minutes through Fred Tshimenga. Nkana dominated most of the first stanza but couldn’t double their advantage as it ended 1-0. In the second half, Nkana coach Kelvin Kaindu introduced Diamond Chikwekwe for Harrison Chisala while Liason Thole was replaced by left back Emmanuel Mbola. Misheck Chaila paved way for Zimbabwean international, Tichaona Chipunza while Ronald Kampamba came in for Emmanuel Mwiinde. The changers made no positive impact as Kitwe United equalised in the 69th minute through Clive Biyeta. Nkana was punished again in the last minute of injury time when Shumba failed to handle Monday Bwalya’s last kick which was dropped into the back of the net. The win over their old time rivals propelled Kitwe United to 11 points as Nkana remained in the relegation zone with 21 points. Meanwhile, Power Dynamos recovered from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw against Indeni in the second fixture of the double header at Arthur Davies. Midfielder Godfrey Ngwenya’s 72nd minute strike cancelled Tiki Chiluba’s opener in the 16th minute as the two sides shared the spoils. Despite settling for a draw, Power Dynamos moved back into the top four with 35 points, on par with Kabwe Warriors who were dropped to fifth position. At Khosa Stadium in Kafue Zanaco failed to bank any points after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Young Green Eagles. A brace from Damiano Kola gifted Young Green Eagles the win to avenge their 6-0 defeat suffered when they visited sunset Stadium in November last year. Kola gave Young Eagles the lead six minutes after kick off but had to wait until the 87th minute to complete his brace as the hosts celebrated their seventh win of the season. Young Green Eagles have moved to 12th on the league table with 28 points.