Zambia: The airmen displayed superior skills to secure their spot in the ABSA tournament, crashing and leaving the new but courageous boys Mutondo Stars trailing behind 3 – 1.
Arrows demonstrated their skill and determination as they secured a victory against the newcomers at Nkoloma stadium in an exciting Friday afternoon match.
Following their defeat to Green Eagles in week 16, Red Arrows fans were eager for a strong performance from their team against the formidable Mutondo Stars.
The visitors came out with great intensity, setting the pace of the game from the beginning. Their efforts paid off in the 15′ minute when Chisa Kampamba brilliantly converted a well-executed move, giving the visitors the lead.
In a turn of events that left the home fans frustrated, the Airmen were called to action when Michee Malonga believed he had secured his first goal for the club, only to have it disallowed for offside. This ruling denied the team the opportunity to level the score.
However, the Airmen displayed impressive growth throughout the game, consistently posing challenging questions to their opponents. The Mutondo back line showcased exceptional defensive skills, exhibiting great aggression and unwavering determination. In a swift turn of events, Mutondo’s defence was breached when veteran James Chamanga executed a flawless pass to Yusuf Saddam, who wasted no time in equalizing the score in the 39′.
The hosts gained momentum as Yusuf Saddam, the goal scorer, showcased his playmaking skills by finding Ricky Banda on a fantastic run by chipping the ball at Jim. Banda capitalized on the opportunity and gave the Airmen the lead with just 3′ remaining before halftime.
Notably, this goal had a significant impact on both teams’ discussions during the break.
In the second half, the Airmen took control of the game and displayed their expertise by creating numerous opportunities. However, Alassane Diarra and Ricky Banda were unable to capitalize on these chances, leaving them guilty of missed opportunities.
As the game approached its tense conclusion, Chisi Mbewe made a strategic move by bringing in Antony Shipanuka, Ciel Ebengo, and George Chaloba to secure a definitive victory.
The super subs certainly lived up to expectations, as all three players played a crucial role in the third goal. Ciel Ebengo skillfully attacked the Mutondo full-back, setting up young Antony Shipanuka in the box, who finished with finesse, scoring his first goal for Red Arrows and securing a well-deserved victory for the team.
Red Arrows coach Chisi Mbewe expressed satisfaction with his players’ response after initially falling behind.
“We started on a low note and allowed Mutondo to score first, but the team showed great resilience. They quickly picked up to complete a comeback before halftime, scoring a second goal which stabilized our focus,” said Mbewe in a post-match interview.
Red Arrows football club will play their next three rounds of the second round of the fixtures before breaking off for the Afcon tournament in mid-January 2024.
The fixtures are against Nkana Week 18 at Nkoloma, Muza Week 19 in Mazabuka and Week 20 against Forest at Nkoloma.
