Champions Nkana were beaten 1-0 today by Mamelodi Sundowns in a friendly at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe to lose their first game in 2014.
The Kitwe giants started five new signings namely goalkeeper Rabson Muchelenganga, defenders Maybin Chishimba and Derrick Mwansa, midfielder Simon Bwalya and striker Francis Kombe but all came through with modest ratings.
Nkana started off brightly but found Sundowns who had just lost 1-0 just 24 hours earlier to Don Bosco equal to the task despite playing back-to-back matches in two days.
The champions flirted with Sundowns in the opening 15 minutes in which Donashano Malama saw his 6th minute shot parried by Wayne Sandilands while Claude Bwalya fired wide three minutes later.
Nkana were let off the hook in the 27th minute after Muchelenganga almost cost his side in indirect free kick after picking up a back-pass from Chris Munthali.
Sundowns’ Liberian star Anthony Laffor was almost rewarded with the games opener in the 36th minute but his thundering shot came off the post.
Nkana were then punished in the 45th minute for some sloppy defending when Elias Pelembe rolled the ball with a cheeky back heel to stun the boisterous and packed Arthur Davies.
However, Nkana were frustrated in the second half when Francis Kombe’s close range shot was saved by Thule Ngomeni in the 50th minute and he fired another great chance into the post in the 59th minute.
Shadreck Musonda and Lottie Nyambili too missed when it looked easy to score from close range in the last 10 minutes of the game.
Nkanamust now redeem themselves on Monday when they host DR Congo club Don Bosco in another friendly at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
.. Too many players bought to strengthen the club, they (players) need time to do their homework. (team spirit)
Kombe!!!! Here he comes, wapya. Kombe for national team. He is the only one making me follow Nkana, the team of KMB boys.
And we won the game because Mweene was not in goal.
And Nkana lost because Muchelengang’a was in goal.
Kombe the scandalous chap!!!! failed doped test in South Africa (cannabis) and caught up in match fixing in Europe. that boy could have reached higher heights with discipline
No we cant be losing at home mwebantu. Its a NEVER! Be like Man City or Chelsea.Kalampa chamusebanya sana ichi