By ELIAS CHIPEPO and MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
Nkwazi 1 Paramilitary 0
STRIKER Simon Lupiya scored the only goal as Nkwazi made most of Lusaka Dynamos absence and Luena Buffaloes defeat to open up a seven-point at the summit of the FAZ Division One South table.
The Week 26 fixtures saw Dynamos, on 48 points, excused owing to their Barclays Cup quarter-final match against Napsa Stars but Luena failed to utilise home ground advantage losing 1-0 to Kafue Celtic to equally remain on 48 points.
Luipya, formerly of Red Arrows, found the back of the net in the 55th minute to push his side to 55 points and that gap can only be cut should Dynamos win their tie against Livingstone Pirates.
Other results saw Lusaka Tigers hammered 3-1 away to Malaiti Rangers as Zesco Shockers beat Nampundwe 2-0 and the score-line was identical in Zamaco Diggers’ victory over Prison Leopards.
Petauke United were held to a 1-all draw by City of Lusaka while Riflemen suffered a 1-0 defeat to Mazabuka United. The match involving Lusaka City Council and Chipata Young Stars was not played.
Ndola 2 Forest 3
The chase for promotion in the northern region has intensified with the leadership exchanging continuing to exchange hands every week.
Forest Rangers bounced back to the top of the table thanks to a hard fought victory over struggling Ndola United in the derby played at Musa Kasonka Stadium as Chambishi dropped into second place after a goalless draw against Lime Hotspurs.
The Besa brothers of Joe and Mala stole the limelight in this particular encounter as both found the back of the net to inspire Forest back to victory. Ndola started the game on high, opening the score through Kunda Bwalya in the first 10 minutes, a lead they held on until half time.
Forest came back stronger in the second half with Joe restoring parity on 48 minutes before his younger brother Mala powered in a 65th minute strike to put the visitors ahead just for Bwalya for complete his brace to make it 2-2.
As the two teams seemingly looked to be heading for a draw, Mala scored the match winner in the 72nd minute to add more woes to Ndola, who sit bottom of the table.
Kalulushi 2 Nkwiza 0
Striker Mike Katiba and Moses Nyambe scored a goal each in the 13th and 84th minutes respectively as Kalulushi Modern Stars pounced on Nkwiza to remain third on the log.
A win moved Kalulushi to 45 points, just one ahead of ‘Mighty’ Mufulira Wanderers, who did not play their match against Chindwin Sentries as they in action in the Barclays Cup at Nkoloma Stadium.
Lumwana Radiants are fifth on the table with 43 points after forcing a 1-1 draw at Premium Sports.
Other games saw Kitwe United battle it out to a 1-1 draw with Mufulira Blackpool and FQMO playing for an identical score-line. Gomes beat Zesco Luapula 2-0 in Ndola while Kansanshi Dynamos snatched a point at Mining Rangers with a 2-2 draw.