•ZESCO United striker Winston Kalengo (right) dribbles past Victor Nyantenga of National Assembly during yesterday’s MTN-FAZ Super League match played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. Picture by KASUMPA KATAPA

By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE At Levy Mwanawasa Stadium –
Zesco 3 Assembly 1
IN-FORM striker Winston Kalengo yesterday scored a brace as Zesco United edged closer to retaining the MTN-FAZ Super League title with an emphatic victory over relegation-threatened National Assembly in Ndola.
The win saw Zesco open an eight-point lead at the summit of the table with 55 points.
This mouth-watering Week 24 fixture also saw winger Clifford Mulenga make a winning debut for the reigning champions, with the former Chipolopolo star showing some of the old flashes he is popularly known for.
The result added more woes to Assembly, who remain stuck at the bottom of the log with only 17 points.
‘Chicken’ George Lwandamina’s men made their intentions clear early in the game as Jackson Mwanza opened the score in the third minute after finishing off a rebound from Mulenga’s shot.
Kalengo then powered home a second from the penalty spot after Solwezi referee Mateo Ngulube awarded the home side a spot-kick for a crude challenge on Mwanza.
The ‘Parliamentarians’ kept sucking the pressure from an impressive Zesco frontline with the backline marshaled by Bruno Mwamulima constantly making mistakes.
Kalengo completed his brace after beating an offside trap to slot home with relative ease off a Mulenga delivery on 19 minutes to put the game beyond Assembly’s reach.
Mulenga could have registered his name on the scorers’ sheet but saw his thunderbolt strike hit the cross bar on 24th minute before he had his two penalty shouts waved away by the referee.
After restart, Tshite Mweshi’s 46th minute powerful header forced a full stretch out of Zesco goal minder Jacob Banda, who was relegated to a spectator for most part of the game.
Aaron Silwimba pulled one back for Assembly through a penalty in the 62nd minute after Daut Musekwa brought down Evans Mwanza in the box but the damage had already been done.
Power 1  Blades  1
Power Dynamos laboured to a home draw with Konkola Blades yesterday at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe in their Week 24 fixture, reports KALUMIANA KALUMIANA.
Power scored a last gasp goal in the 90th minute when defender Derrick Mwansa equalised with a header from a Lawrence Chungu free-kick.
This is after Blades took the lead in the 57th minute through striker Happy Kaunda who headed in a cross from McDuff Chungu.
The match marked Blades coach’s first match against his former club Power where he played for over 10 years.
Buffaloes  2  Nakambala 1
Green Buffaloes maintained their edge over Nakambala Leopards when they collected maximum points thanks to goals by former Chipolopolo skipper Christopher Katongo and Adrian Chama in Lusaka, GWEN CHIPASULA writes from Woodlands Stadium.
Katongo put Buffaloes ahead when he scored from the spot-kick in the 10th minute after Jasper Masialeti was brought down in the box by Kelly Kumwenda.
However, Buffaloes’ lead was shortlived as relegation-threatened Nakambala pulled level seven minutes later through Junior Zulu, who tucked away a Lameck Banda pass.
Chama restored Buffaloes’ lead with a spectacular free-kick in the 55th minute which proved enough for the day.
With yesterday’s victory, Buffaloes remained fourth on the log but with 40 points while Nakambala are rooted second from the bottom on 19 points.
Eagles  1  Nkwazi 2
Nkwazi made a fruitful visit to Choma by beating hosts, Green Eagles at Independence Stadium.
Lottie Nyimbiri gave Nkwazi the lead on 20 minutes but Patrick Mwansa restored parity for Eagles 10 minutes later.
Emmanuel Kasonde delivered the winner for Nkwazi four minutes into stoppage time to ensure the Zambia Police outfit moved to 36 points and fifth on the table.
Eagles are eighth on 31 points.
Napsa  0  Rangers 0
Relegation-threatened Napsa Stars and Nchanga Rangers yesterday settled for a virgin draw in their Week 24 fixture at Woodlands, SANDRA MWILA reports.
In the first half, both teams had little to offer with no real chance at goal apart from a Jean Samaho shot which shook the Rangers woodwork on 28 minutes.
After restart, Napsa and Rangers put up an improved showing but still could not break the deadlock.
Forest 0 Arrows 0
From Dola Hill Stadium, Forest Rangers’ search for a win since the resumption of the league continues after the Ndola outfit was held to a goalless draw by Red Arrows.
A point saw Forest move within a point above the drop while Arrows remain in the top half on 34 points.
Playing today: Zanaco v Nkana, Lusaka Dynamos v Mufulira Wanderers.