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Zesco United missed an opportunity to reach the semi-finals of the 2016 Caf Champions League after they gave up the lead twice to draw 2-2 away to Al Ahly in Group A of the competition on Friday evening.

Zambia’s flag-bearers in the competition will now await the result of the match between Wydad Casablanca and Asec Mimosas on Sunday to confirm their progress to the semi-finals.

Wydad Casablanca and Zesco United will both progress if the former avoid defeat to the Ivorians while a win for Asec would mean that Lwandamina’s men will have to avoid defeat against the Moroccans in Ndola on August 23.

Jesse Jackson Were got the ball rolling in the 5th minute when he nodded home at the far post from Jackson Mwanza’s cross to stun the home side who have won the competition a record eight times.

The hosts got back on level terms in the 31st through Ramy Rabia who tapped home following a corner but Were restored the lead for the visitors three minutes later with a fine individual performance that saw him turn a defender inside out before releasing a low effort into the bottom corner from a seemingly acute angle.

Zesco United managed to keep that lead until the 85th minute when substitute Emad Moteab equalized with an acrobatic effort that wrong-footed Jacob Banda following a deflection off defender David Owino.

The Ndola-based side welcomes Wydad Casablanca in Ndola in a mid-week fixture scheduled for 23-24 August while Martin Jol’s Al Ahly will be away to Asec Mimosas.

Zesco United have reached the semi-finals of the Caf Champions League, this with a match to spare in Group A, after Wydad Casablanca of Morocco defeated Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast 2-1 on match day five on Sunday.

After drawing 2-2 with Al Ahly on Friday, Zesco needed the Moroccans to avoid defeat against the visiting Ivorians to be assured of progress.

Zesco who have eight points, cannot lose their position to third place Al Ahly on five points, due to a better head to head record, even if they lost their final group match on August 24 to Wydad who lead the with ten points.

ASEC have four points and can only finish on seven points with victory over Al Ahly in Abidjan.

Zesco United will face Group B winners Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa over two legs in September for a place in the final if they fail to defeat Wydad in Ndola. That would mean the Moroccans will play against either Zamalek of Egypt or Nigeria’s Enyimba.

Zamalek need only a point from the match in Cairo while Enyimba need to win by a two-goal margin to progress.

Felix Nyaende scored two penalties in four second half minutes to end a five match winless run for Forest Rangers who come from a goal down to defeat Red Arrows 2-1 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday.

Festus Mbewe had given the visitors the lead with his second goal of the campaign on 37 minutes from an effort which was more of a cross than an effort on goal, but it was strong enough to slip through the hands of Forest Rangers goalkeeper Jairus Mulenga.

The hosts got back on level terms in the 68th minute when Nyaende dispatched a penalty which was awarded by referee Francis Lombe after Arrows goalkeeper Kenny Mumba was judged to have thwarted a goal scoring opportunity by bringing down Ronald Chibwe inside the box.

Nyaende stepped up again four minutes to give the hosts the advantage for the first time in the match following a handball incident inside the box by Joseph Zimba.

Rangers had not won since June 19 when they defeated Green Buffaloes 1-0 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. That victory was followed by defeats to Nkana, Mufulira Wanderers, Nakambala Leopards, Lumwana Radiants before a goalless draw with Napsa Stars.

Saturday’s victory moved them to 9th position with 28 points, with a game in hand against Zesco United.

The defeat for Red Arrows in 8th position with 29 points comes on the back of another which they suffered against Power Dynamos a week ago.

Super League leaders Zanaco restored their eight point lead from second placed Nkana after they defeated Green Buffaloes 1-0 at Sunset Stadium on Saturday.

Nkana had reduced the gap at the top to five points with a 1-0 victory over Nchanga Rangers on Friday.

In-form midfielder Richard Kasonde scored the only goal of the match and his fourth of the campaign in the 65th minute, coming on the back of an impressive performance when he scored a brace against Lusaka Dynamos a week ago.

The victory, their 17th in 23 matches, moved last season’s league runners-up to an impressive 55 points at this stage of the campaign in which they have scored fifty goals and conceded nine.

Elsewhere, Malela Sapu scored a brace as Lusaka Tigers registered a 2-0 victory against Mufulira Wanderers.

And Mufulira Blackpool gave up a an early lead to draw 1-1 at home to Lumwana Radiants, Rodgers Mukenge canceling out an Alison Mulelemba opener.

At Godfrey Chitalu Stadium, veteran midfielder Siloni Jere scored his first goal of the season for Kabwe Warriors but it was cancelled out by Venecious Mapande in the 1-1 with Nakambala Leopards.

There was another 1-1 draw between Green Eagles and Napsa Stars at Independence Stadium in Choma. Collins Sikombe was on target for the visitors while substitute Percy Bilyoti equalised for the hosts following a corner.

And Forest Rangers came from a goal down to defeat Red Arrows 2-1 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium thanks to two second half penalties scored by Felix Nyaende after Festus Mbewe had given the visitors the lead in the first half.

Action continues with Power Dynamos playing host to Lusaka Dynamos at Arthur Davies Stadium on Sunday.

Photo Credit: Kelvin Musako/ Kabwe Warriors vs Nakambala Leopards

Brazil beat Germany 5-4 on penalties to clinch the Gold medal at the final of the 2016 Rio Olympics men’s football tournament, after the game finished 1-1 in extra time.

Neither side were able to break the deadlock as the game went on into extra-time, with the clash proceeding to be decided via penalty shootout.

And it came down to Neymar to net the winning spot kick, after Nils Petersen had his saved by Weverton.

Power Dynamos got back to winning ways with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Lusaka Dynamos at Arthur Davies Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The victory came on the back of a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Zesco United on Thursday.

Daka opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a powerful header at the near post from a cross by Kelvin Kampamba. Kampamba then made it 2-0 after being set up by Daka in the 35th minute.

Kampamba bagged his brace in 57th minute from the penalty spot after Luka Lungu had been brought down inside the box.

Two minutes later Daka made it 4-0 with another free header, this time from a cross by Kennedy Mudenda.

The visitors pulled a goal back through Mutale Bwalya who volleyed home after being set up at the top of the box by Webster Muzaza.

The victory pushed Power Dynamos to 43 points and was seen by coach Danny Kabwe as a perfect recovery following Thursday’s defeat to Zesco United.

“We played very well and everybody was focused. We wanted to put behind Thursday’s loss. We still have a chance at the title for as long as we remain in the competition. We will lose some games but we should with honour,” Kabwe told fazfootball.com in a post-match interview.

And Lusaka Dynamos coach Michael Loftman said his team was going though a rough patch in which they had to face tough opponents.

“In the first half they had more quality than us, that was the difference today. First half, they punished us on their chances same as the Zanaco game last week. Playing against teams that publish you when you make mistakes is very challenging.

“We knew it was going to be a difficult game. We have got a difficult period ahead of us; with the Zanaco game last week, Power Dynamos and the match against Green Buffaloes is another tough one.

“We have got four difficult games in a row but we have got to keep working hard until we get through these four games.”

Lusaka Dynamos face Green Buffaloes in their next encounter followed by a visit to Nkana.

Zesco United will play Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in the Caf Champions League semi-finals after finishing second in Group A following a 1-1 with Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday.

Kenyan defender had opened the scoring in the 16th minute when headed home from a corner by John Ching’andu but Nigerian forward Chissom Chikatara equalized in the 54th minute for the two sides to share the spoils.

The draw meant that Zesco finished in second with 9 points having registered two wins, three draws and a single loss in Group A which comprised of Al Ahly (Egypt), Asec Mimosas (Ivory Coast) and Wydad Casablanca (Morocco).

“What is important is that we have reached the semi-finals. We will prepare for Sundowns like we have always done for any other team. They are not extraordinary. They have done very well in the competition but we were not expected to reach this far. We can no longer be under rated,” said Lwandamina after the Wydad match.

Of the draw with Wydad Lwandamina said: “We were the better side in the match today. Even in the match we played in Morrocco, we were the better side despite them winning. Today we started positively but we failed to sustain until the final whistle. We went to sleep once and they scored.”

And Wydad Casablanca coach John Toshack said Zesco United played well in the first half but his side reorganized and commanded the second.

“First half today, the home team played very very well and we were lucky to come away a goal down. But second half we controlled things a lot more and we got better than the home side,” Toshack said.

The semi-finals will be played over two legs, the first leg during the weekend of16th to 18th September while the second leg will be played during the weekend of 23rd to 25th September

Two MTN FAZ Super League matches scheduled for September 28 have been brought forward to allow television broadcast of league and national team matches during the weekend of 2nd to 4th September.

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) General Secretary Ponga Liwewe told fazfootball.com that two league matches, to be played on Friday and Saturday, will precede Zambia’s match against Kenya scheduled for Sunday, September 4.

The match between Nchanga Rangers and Napsa Stars will now be played on Friday, September 2 while the Kitwe derby between Power Dynamos and city rivals Nkana will take place on September 3.

“The games have been brought forward due to a CAF broadcast schedule which has moved the national team’s match against Kenya to Sunday, 4th September,” said Liwewe.

“As a result Super Sport requested for some games to be brought forward to accommodate in their broadcast schedule.”

Liwewe added that the two league matches have been scheduled to start at 15h00 while Zambia’s match against Kenya will kick-off at 16h30.

World Boxing Council (WBC) Gold Bantamweight Champion Catherine Phiri has successfully defended her title against South Africa’s Gabisile Tshabalala.

Tshabalala surrendered after the first few blows after just 1 minute which solicited boos and disappointment from the crowd that had gathered at Lusaka’s New Government Complex.

The referee stopped the fight after what appeared like a dizzy spell suffered by Tshabalala.

Catherine expressed disappointment saying she prepared and was in camp for three (3) months and was ready to put herself to work in today’s fight.

Earlier Catherine had weighed in at 53.4 kilograms for WBC Gold female Championship bout.

Meanwhile, Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions Manager Christopher Malunga commended the fans for the good discipline they displayed saying as disappointing as the easy win was, fights involving more experienced fighters have ended in as much time before.

Mr. Malunga said Catherine would now concentrate on school and will not have any boxing till her exams were over.

Walter Bwalya

Walter Bwalya scored twice while Ronald Kampamba and Simon Bwalya contributed a goal apiece as Nkana defeated MTN FAZ Super League leaders Zanaco 4-2 to close the gap at the top to five points on Saturday.

Walter now leads the league top scorers chart with 15 goals followed by Zesco United forward Jesse Were who has 12 goals.

Kampamba put the hosts in front in the 18th minute when he beat Zanaco goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata to the ball with a free header at the far post following a free kick by Joseph Musonda.

Bwalya doubled the lead in the 35th minute, taking advantage to tap home after Gift Sakuwaha failed to intercept a pass from Freddy Tshimenga.

Rodrick Kabwe pulled a goal back for the leaders with a stunning volley that brought back memories of Zinedine Zidane’s strike against Bayer Lerverkusen in the Uefa Champions League final in 2002.

Two minutes later, Simon Bwalya scored his 5th and his 4th headed goal this season from a Donashano Malama cross for the hosts to take a 3-1 lead at the break.

Isaac Chansa handed Zanaco a lifeline after he weaved his way through the Nkana defence to make it 3-2 in the 58th minute.

However, there was no coming back for Zanaco after Bwalya made sure of the points when he tapped home from Simon Bwalya’s cross with 20 minutes remaining on the clock.

The victory took Nkana to 50 points while Zanaco stay on 55 points after suffering their third and heaviest defeat this season.

Fourth placed Green Buffaloes crashed to shock 3-2 defeat at home to relegation-threatened Lusaka Dynamos in a Week 24 match played at Independence Stadium on Saturday.

It was the seventh defeat for Buffaloes (39 points) who failed to close the gap on third placed Power Dynamos who remain four points clear before their visit to Forest Rangers on Sunday.

The defeat also means that Bilton Musonda’s side could lose their position on goal difference if Zesco United in fifth with 36 points defeat Green Eagles on Sunday.

Lusaka Dynamos scored goals through Luka Chamanga, Mutale Bwalya and Webster Muzaza who helped to end a three match winless run in which Michael Loftman’s side conceded 12 goals while scoring 4 times.

Mweene Mumbi and Jack Chirwa scored for Green Buffaloes.

The victory helped Lusaka Dynamos to move to 15th position with 25 points on goal difference from Napsa Stars and Green Eagles who both have better goal differences.

Elsewhere, a 20th minute strike by defender Alex Mwamba helped Napsa Stars overcome Mufulira Blackpool 1-0 at Sunset Stadium.

In Mazabuka, Nakambala Leopards shared spoils with Lusaka Tigers. Moses Sibanda gave the hosts a first half lead but it was cancelled out by Mathews Sichone who scored from the penalty spot after Moses Mapulanga brought down Malela Sapu inside the box.

Another 1-1 draw was recorded at Nkoloma Stadium where Red Arrows were held by Nkwazi. Steward Chikandiwa gave the visitors an early lead with his eighth goal of the season scored from a free kick but Festus Mbewe Mbewe equalised in the 56th minute.

Lumwana Radiants and Kabwe Warriors played out a goalless draw in Lumwana.

Zambia national soccer team coach George Lwandamina has announced his 23-man squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Kenya on September 3.

The match will be played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Sunday, September 3 with a kick-off time of 16:30 hours.

Both Zambia and Kenya have not qualified for final tournament to be hosted in Gabon from January 14 to February 5.

Lwandamina’s list is dominated by players from the MTN FAZ Super League but his inclusion of six key foreign based players is an indication that he is taking the match seriously and will use it to prepare the team for upcoming engagements in Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

Lwandamina

Justin Shonga has been called to the squad as one of the two forwards from the local league along with Jackson Mwanza.

Lewis Macha, who recently made a move to Kaizer Chiefs in the South African Premier Soccer League, returns to the fold after an absence of more than three years. Macha last featured for the Chipolopolo under former coach Herve Renard in 2013.

Another notable inclusion is Felix Katongo who returns to the squad since May 2015. Zanaco captain Ziyo Tembo receives his third call up to the squad, his previous two having come under former coach Herve Renard.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Rocha Kola (Zanaco);

Defenders: Emmanuel Mbola (Hapoel Raanana), Fackson Kapumbu (Zanaco), Ziyo Tembo (Zanaco), Simon Silwimba (Zesco United), Stopilla Sunzu (Lille/France), Buchizya Mfune (Green Buffaloes), Adrian Chama (Green Buffaloes);

Midfielders: Paul Katema (Red Arrows),,Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe/DRC),Nathan Sinkala (TP Mazembe/DRC), Kondwani Mtonga (Zesco United), John Chingandu (Zesco United), Cletus Chama (Zesco United), Roderick Kabwe (Zanaco), Lubambo Musonda (Gandzasar Kapan/Armenia), Felix Katongo (Green Buffaloes), Christopher Katongo (Green Buffaloes);

Strikers: Lewis Macha (Kaizer Chiefs/RSA), Winston Kalengo (AC Leopards/Congo), Jackson Mwanza (Zesco United), Justin Shonga (Nkwazi).

(Photo: Nkwazi striker Justin Shonga)

Boxing wondergirl Catherine Phiri may be disappointed with the quality of her opponent but will have little complaints about her bank account as she took home K120,000 in purse money following a successful defence of her World Boxing Council (WBC) Gold Bantamweight title against Gabisile Tshabalala.

The 24-year-old probably made the easiest K120,000 of her life after she dispatched her South African opponent without breaking a sweat.

Phiri stopped Tshabalala after just 90 seconds, which did not sit well with the fans who had gathered at Lusaka’s New Government Complex expecting to see an action-packed contest.

Tshabalala simply failed to live up to her pre-match tough talk as Phiri reminded her that boxing is fought in the ring and not the press.

And speaking to journalists after the fight, Phiri made it clear she was not impressed with what she got from the South African pugilist.

“I would have been better off studying for my exams,” she declared. “I trained hard for this fight. I was in camp for three months and expected a better opponent, not what I got in today’s fight.”

She sympathised with the scores of disappointed fans who had broken into a chorus of boos after a dazed and disoriented Tshabalala surrendered leaving the referee with no choice but to stop the fight.

Phiri entered Saturday’s fight with a record of 12 wins and one defeat. She weighed in at 53.4 kilograms.

Catherine Phiri

By Brian Mulenga

People were shocked and upset Catherine Phiri ended that fight within 90 seconds. Well even the ZNBC commentators simply know nothing about fighting, boxing and human physiology.

Catherine stopped her opponent because she landed three punches in an area that would knock out anyone.

The punches landed just behind the ear on or around the mastoid area. Such a blow will send shockwaves through the inner ear and the brain.

The cochlea will get jarred causing the fluid inside to slosh around.

The result is instant nausea and loss of balance. The result is the same if you spin around several times.

Her opponent went staggering across the ring and into the ropes. She was totally disoriented. Actually she should have even been kept overnight in the hospital.

I have no doubt she vomited later on and has a headache right now.

Boxing is a hard dangerous sport. Anyone getting in the ring risks permanent injury and even death.

Heavy blows to the kidney area for instance can result in severe renal bruising and boxers who fight heavy body punchers will urinate blood for several days afterwards.

So don’t complain about the quick knockout. A long brutal fight can result in serious injury.

I remember a previous fight of Catherine’s where the opponent hammered her torso for the whole fight. I am sure Catherine suffered the same bruising and was in pain for days afterwards.

Throw Back: Zambia’s most celebrated Footballer Kalusha Bwalya  (right) with his mother holding his sister Grace with Benjamin Jnr in Kamuchanga, Mufulira in 1966

Kalusha says he is so proud of this photo.

Parson Daka

Patson Daka’s first half header ensured that Power Dynamos have this season’s bragging rights in the Kitwe derby as they defeated Nkana 1-0 in a chaotic rescheduled Week 27 fixture played at Arthur Davies Stadium on Saturday.

The match was marred by a delay to the start of the second half caused by fans who breached the security and went onto the playing surface at half time.

Daka’s 20th minute strike was his fifth in eight matches, his sixth of the season and the difference in Saturday’s second Kitwe derby of 2016.

The young striker rose unchallenged to nod home at the far post from a Govender Simwala cross as Danny Kabwe’s side cemented third position and closed the gap on their bitter rivals to a single point.

The victory moved Power Dynamos to 49 points, a point behind Nkana and six points adrift of league leaders Zanaco but coach Danny Kabwe told fazfootball.com that winning the league was out of his team’s reach.

“This win today means that we are on course with our set targets, that’s how important this win is for us. We have done our strategic planning and for us our target is winning any game that comes. Winning the league is out of reach for us, what is important is for us to win all the remaining games so that we finish the season in a respectable position. Our priority is to qualify for Caf competitions. You have seen how Zesco have performed this season; it means we have a chance to get one of those slots which will be allocated to Zambia,” said Kabwe.

The reverse fixture of the Kitwe derby played about four months ago ended 1-1 and Saturday’s fixture was brought forward by three weeks to allow the match to be broadcast live on television.

Meanwhile another match featuring Nchanga Rangers and Napsa Stars was brought brought forward and it was the latter who triumphed through a gaol scored in additional time by Enock Mwepu.

The victory helped Napsa Stars to move out the relegation zone to ninth position separated on 28 points with their vanquished opponents Nchanga Rangers in tenth and Forest Rangers in eleventh.

Regular league action returns on September 10 following the international break.

Andrew Kamanga

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced that it has switched to computer based ticket sales in line with modern trends in football and a resolve to implement measures aimed at improving accountability and transparency.

FAZ president Andrew Kamanga told fazfootball.com that the new mode of ticketing which was used for the Africa Cup of qualifier with Kenya, would also be used for the upcoming Fifa World Cup qualifier with Nigeria.

Kamanga stated that in order for fans to appreciate the system, advertising and marketing of the Nigeria match scheduled for October 9 would start a month early.

“The Kenya match last Sunday was the historic first where fans had to purchase tickets through Shoprite stalls countrywide and it is expected this mode of ticket sales shall be used for the upcoming crucial World Cup qualifier against Nigeria on October 9 in Ndola,” said Kamanga.

“In this regard, the advertising and marketing of the Nigeria game will commence this weekend to allow fans to have an appreciation of this new measure.

“We have began to implement measures aimed at maximising revenue for FAZ. We identified ticket sales as one area that was used to siphon funds from the Association,” he said.

Kamanga observed that in the past fans queued up for manual tickets at points of sell which resulted in stampedes and a few getting injured in the process.

“During those dark days, the lowly priced tickets were said to be sold out even before fans bought any. Later, the lowly priced tickets emerged on the black market highly inflated in price,” he said.

“So in order to avoid unscrupulous activities, the FAZ executive resolved to sell the tickets through Shoprite. In fact, we advertised in the media for the Kenya match. We need fans to support this venture by buying tickets in an atmosphere that eliminates any impropriety and avoids a stampede.”

And Kamanga has urged fans not to be swayed by people with known motives of trying to destabilise him including organising thugs to clobber him.

“As you can see with computer ticketing, we are steadily implementing our ideas some of the new ideas we promised in the campaigns . There is resistance in some circles because we are plugging the sources of income from unscrupulous activities.

“But trust me, in a few years time, these things shall bear fruit and everybody shall be happy,” Kamanga said.

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga has reaffirmed his administration’s committment to uplifting the standards of football in Zambia and has dismissed as malicious claims from known FAZ detractors that there were no official match balls for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya.

“I don’t think we need to respond to such things. For example, you are asking me about no handshakes before the match. But that was a directive from CAF and nothing to do with me as FAZ president,” Kananga said.

“Can you see how these lies are being fanned? Suffice to say that the Association provided everything necessary for the match to go on as an Africa Cup qualifier including match balls.”

“You see elections were in March. But some people have failed to move on. Now we need to concentrate on taking our football to a new level. We have a four-year mandate to preside over the affairs of football in Zambia.

Kamanga explained that the country’s football was going through a transitional phase and appealed for patience from fans and other key stakeholders, saying he will need time to turn around the country’s football fortunes.

“They accused me of being a failure. Even now they are saying the same things. I would urge the fans to be patient and check the motives of those who have made attacking myself and the FAZ executive based on lies as their personal calling.

“We are going through a tough transition. Since winning the Africa Cup in 2012 our fortunes have dwindled. Some of the poor performances we are seeing today are an accumulation of factors from back then.”

“This is what we want to address. We have taken responsibility and we are focused on doing that. We want the team to qualify to the World Cup in Russia.

“But without the support of key stakeholders this dream becomes a huge challenge,” Kamanga said.

David Owino Odhiambo scored the only goal of the match as Zesco United defeated city rivals Forest Rangers in a Week 22 rescheduled fixture of the Ndola derby played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Thursday.

The Kenyan defender netted from close range into an empty net following a tame clearance by Forest Rangers goalkeeper Joel Kanyeba. Kanyeba had lost the ball inside the box to Clatous Chota and momentarily managed to steal it back only for his recovery clearance under pressure from Chota and Mwape Mwelwa to fall to Odhiambo who fired into an empty net in the 37th minute.

The victory moved Zesco United to fourth on the league with 40 points from 19 matches and 15 points adrift of leaders Zanaco who have played five matches more. They have games in hand against Nakambala Leopards, Lumwana Radiants, Napsa Stars, Red Arrows and Nkwazi.

The victory was also the first over Forest Rangers for George Lwandamina in four meetings since the side from Dola Hill won back promotion in 2015. Since then the head to head records favour the Rangers who have recorded two wins, a draw and a loss while scoring four and conceding three in the process.

“Is this the first win over Forest Rangers ever since I came here? They are just like any other team. I don’t count teams; I count points. Even if I went to celebrate; celebrate for what, beating Forest? That is unheard of. Talk about some other teams maybe. They have given us problems but that cannot instill excitement. The league is still miles away.”

Meanwhile the defeat for Forest Rangers comes on the back of a 2-1 loss to Power Dynamos on 28th August but coach Patrick Phiri believes his side will come good against what he called weaker opposition.

“We are proud with our performance against Power Dynamos and Zesco United because they are both good sides. Today we played so well against Zesco and that gives us confidence that we shall do well against weaker opposition. Our next match against Nkwazi will be a tough one too because they are also fighting for survival. But we hope to collect maximum points and after that it will be smooth sailing,” said Phiri.

Forest Rangers are 11th on the league standings with 28 points from 24 matches. They have recorded 8 wins, 4 draws and 12 losses while scoring 15 and conceding 23 goals in the process.