Dynamos stunned by Rangers
by Mutheliso Phiri 05 August 2012, 01:47
Power Dynamos’ hopes of defending the league suffered a setback when they lost 2 – 0 to Nchanga Rangers at Arthur Davies Stadium on Saturday.
Power coach Beston Chambeshi preferred holding midfielder Emmanuel Chimpinde to start in an attacking role in favour of Mukuka Mulenga a move which seemed to have backfired as Nchanga Rangers took advantage of their hosts’ lack of creativity in midfield.
However Nchanga Rangers put up a gallant performance in front of a biased crowd and outclassed the defending champions in all departments. George Chilufya was a hard man to beat in defence and when called upon, goalkeeper Rabson Mucheleng’anga was equal to the task.
Alex Ng’onga who is on loan from Power also played his lungs out for his adopted club and his hard work paid off when his driven shot from near the penalty spot hit the back of the net in the 36th minute.
Mukuka Mulenga came on for Chimpinde in the 40th minute as the hosts pressed for an equalizer but Nchanga held on for the first half to end 1 – 0 in favour of the visitors.
The second half started the same way the first ended with the visitors pressing forward and could have increased the scoreline in the 46th minute but Aubrey Funga slipped at a critical moment and allowed Power to clear.
Thereafter Power enjoyed a good spell of possession and came close to equalizing on two occasions through Kennedy Mudenda who fluffed his lines from close range. However with twenty minutes of the second half played Nchanga defender George Chilufya drove a long range clearance
shot to Alex Ng’onga who then crossed the ball for Aubrey Funga to finish from close range after rounding goalkeeper Joshua Titima.
Nchanga coach Fighton Simukonda said the win was a result of the hard work that had gone into preparation for this match.
“We knew that it was going to be difficult for us to come and win here but we worked hard in training the whole week to ensure we registered a positive result. As a coach I don’t work to lose games, so even before the match was played we were confident of carrying the day ,” said Simukonda.
Scorer of the opening goal Alex Ng’onga said he was not fazed by the fact that he scored against the team that loaned him to Nchanga Rangers last month.
“I feel good for myself and Nchanga Rangers because my role is to score goals. I thank God for my good health because that is why am able to play,” Ng’onga said.
N’gonga who was limited to substitute appearances at Power Dynamos has scored three goals in for matches he has played for Nchanga Rangers since joining in the July transfer window.
And Musonda Mwape scored in the 28th minute of the first half as he propelled Konkola Mine Police to a win away to Roan United in Luanshya. The inform striker has now scored three goals in four matches and currently leads the goal scorers chart with ten goals.
The Chililabombwe based outfit is the only unbeated side in the second round of the current season having collected ten points out of a possible twelve.
At Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe, Reynold Kampamba’s long range strike was ruled out for offside as Nkana played to a goalless draw against Konkola Blades. This was Nkana’s eleventh draw of the season and takes them to 20 points.
Elsewhere, Zesco United and Zanaco suffered 1 – 0 defeats to Green Buffaloes and Red Arrows respectively. Dias Kakunta scored for Buffaloes while Lubinda Mundia scored for Arrows after being put through by Danny “Deco” Sibanda.
In Mazabuka, Linos Chalwe equalised for Napsa Stars ten minutes before the end of the match to cancel out Aaron Sakala’s thirty-fifth goal for Nakambala Leopards.
In Ndola, Owen Kapusa scored in both halves as Forest Rangers defeated National Assembly 2 – 0 at National Assembly while Indeni and Green Eagles played to a 1 – 1 draw.
Roan United 0 – 1 Konkola Mine Police
Power Dynamos 0 – 2 Nchanga Rangers
Green Buffaloes 1 – 0 Zesco United
Zanaco 0 – 1 Red Arrows
Indeni 1 – 1 Green Eagles
Forest Rangers 2 – 0 National Assembly
Konkola Blades 0 – 0 Nkana
Nakambala Leopards 1 – 1 Napsa Stars
