By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE and SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
Lumwana 2 Roan 0
STRIKERS Lembani Lungu and Billy Lungu scored a goal each in the first half as Lumwana Radiants edged closer towards winning promotion to the MTN-FAZ Super Division with an emphatic win over Roan United in a Week 31 match played on Wednesday.
The victory saw the Solwezi outfit open a four-point lead at the summit of the FAZ Division One League table with four games remaining before the close of the season.
Lumwana now lead the log on 59 points with Kalulushi Modern Stars, who were held 1-all by Real Nakonde, firmly in second place on 55 points.
However, coach Allan Kamwanga refused to dwell much on the result, saying Lumwana needed to haul maximum points in the remaining fixtures to storm the elite league in style.
“The result gave an edge over our opponents in the race for promotion but I think there is still a lot of work to be done. We have to win our remaining matches if we are to talk about promotion. The boys (players) are relishing promotion and they will give in their best to reach that level,” Kamwanga said.
Mufulira Blackpool, who were held to a barren draw by Zesco Luapula and Roan, are still in the chase for promotion with 53 and 52 points respectively in third and fourth positions.
Chambishi 2 KMP 0
In contrast, Konkola Mine Police became the first team in the northern region to be confirmed relegated from the second tier league after falling at the hands of Chambishi. The Chililabombwe outfit has only managed 13 points this season so far and should they win all their remaining four games, they will still be stuck in the drop.
Other results: Kansanshi 1 Ndola United 0, Copperbelt Buffaloes 1 Zesco Solwezi 0, Indeni 2 Gomes 1, Mining Rangers 2 Kitwe United 1, Chindwin Sentries 1 FQMO Mining 0.
Riflemen 2 Tigers 3
In the southern zone, promotion for the second available slot has become a three-team race with Lusaka Tigers, Nampundwe and Prison Leopards all wanting to join already promoted Kabwe Warriors in the elite league.
Tigers picked up a vital away win over Riflemen that kept the Matero side ahead of the other promotion rivals with the result not just taking them to 56 points but two ahead of Nampundwe. It also effectively killed-off the Zambia Army side’s promotion hopes.
In an inconsequential game, Warriors played out to a boring 0-0 draw against Matero United at Godfrey Chitalu stadium in Kabwe on the same day that Lusaka City Council (LCC) drew 1-1 at home to Kalomo Jetters, who can call their Division One campaign as a success.
Mongu 3 Nampundwe 4
In this high scoring thriller played in Mongu, Nampundwe rallied before defeating a determined Mongu based side to keep Tigers, their main rival for promotion, within spitting distance as they moved to 54 points.
In what was a poor fixture for Western Province sides, fellow Mongu side Zesco Shockers were beaten 1-0 away to Mumbwa Medics while Kaoma based Zambia Army side Luena Buffaloes were on the losing end to a 1-0 result away to Livingstone Pirates.
Prisons 2 Celtic 0
Though with the slimmest of chances of the three in the promotion race, Prison Leopards kept the heat on by defeating Kafue Celtic to move to 51 points, which is five points off Tigers.
But considering Prisons have lost the least number of games in the league this year and have the best defence having conceded only 12 goals, they have a realist chance of promotion.
At Woodlands stadium, City defeated Paramilitary 2-0 to get to 36 points and jump to 11th position, the highest this year, while Zesco Malaiti gave Katete Rangers a 4-1 bashing.