Zambia : Modern Stars, Radiant’s shine on:The Week 13 games of the FAZ division one North

Game day 13 started with Saturday’s game between Kansanshi Dynamos and Konkola Mine Police. The struggling police side recorded yet another loss. Dynamos took the day with a lone goal moving up to 22points on the league table. Chindwin Sentries and Roan United had a draw-less brawl to share the points at hand.

Lumwana Radiant’s were again on the back foot in their home game on Sunday afternoon. The visiting, council sponsored outfit, Kitwe United drew first blood when they opened the score in the first 15minutes. A poorly organized defense was caught napping early in the game. The home team went to the break trailing by a goal. The second half saw a glowing Radiant side eventually burst into flames. They were awarded a penalty that Lembani Lungu converted after United agreed to resume play from its protest to even the scores at 52minutes into the game. Four minutes later, In-form Mike Banda put himself on the score sheet with the second goal to give Radiant’s the lead. A defensive error abetted the Radiant victory when, from a set piece, the clearance skewed into their own net. Kalulushi Modern stars still hold the top spot with 26points after narrowly beat Mining Ranger by a goal to nil in Kitwe. Gomes and ZESCO Solwezi also had a win on the road after beating Copperbelt Buffaloes (0-2) and ZESCO Luapula (0-1) respectively. 12th Placed Chambishi held veterans, Mufulira Blackpool’s reins, beating them by two goals sending them down the table and cutting their point-difference to four.

“Wonder boys” Real Nakonde continued their terror of the league by beating Ndola United 1-0, it is now almost fact that no one travels to the border town and collects full points. It is proving the true abattoir of the Northern first Division. They are now sitting in 3rd place behind one this leagues favourites for promotion, Lumwana Radiant’s and Kululushi Modern Stars.
This Wednesday the Radiants will have a chance to top the table when they play their game in hand against ZESCO Luapula. Coming in as under dogs, the Luapula boys will hope to get a better result playing on the road after their home loss to the sister team from Solwezi yesterday.
The league is still up for the taking and with only a few games before the mid-way break, the coveted Barclays cup spot is still up for grabs. The team that tops the table by then automatically qualifies to play with the Super league teams.