By SANDRA MWILA at Independence –
Tigers 1 Nkana 1
LUSAKA Tigers fans invaded the pitch in wild celebrations after Nkana striker Walter Bwalya scored an own goal in added time as the record 12-time Zambian league champions’ 100 per cent start to the 2016 MTN-FAZ Super League campaign came to an end.
Nkana were seconds away from registering their fifth straight win but Bwalya headed in a Boyd Mulenga free-kick into his own net sending the Tigers faithful into partying as they stormed the pitch after the final whistle.
The draw left Nkana top of the table on 13 points with Nchanga Rangers in second place on nine points, while Tigers reclaimed their third position from Nkwazi on eight points.
Nkana took the lead in the 20th minute after Austin Muwowo fired in a low shot past keeper Aphic Zulu after connecting a Maybin Chungu corner.
Maybin Chishimba had five minutes earlier unleashed a shot which was blocked by Zulu as Bwalya saw his effort cleared off the line by Isaac Muzala in the 45th minute.
Bwalya, who was a menace to the Tigers’ defenders, tried a long range effort but the ball landed safely in Zulu’s palms in the 78th minute while the home side’s real attempt came in the 85th minute after Malela Sapu dribbled past the Nkana defence but his shot was saved by keeper Fredrick Mwansa.
Nkana also welcomed defender Christopher Munthali whose two-month ban came to an end but sat on the bench.
Nkwazi 2 Napsa 0
Earlier at the same venue, YVONNE SAKALA reports that Nkwazi beat bottom rocked Napsa Stars to sneak into third position from 11th on the log with seven points.
This match also beamed live on pay television channel SuperSport saw Nkwazi open the score through skipper Stewart Chikandiwa who scored direct from a corner kick in the 23rd minute before Jeff Banda made sure of the result in the 41st minute.
Napsa, on one point, were just bad on the day with their only good chance falling to Mathews Macha, but his header went straight into the palms of Nkwazi goalkeeper Makasa Kalaba in the 55th minute.