Green Buffaloes will for a second successive year represent Zambia in Africa after finishing second in the Faz Premier League despite going down 2-1 at home against Young Arrows in their final top-flight match of the season today at Edwin Emboela Stadium in Lusaka.
For finishing league runners-up, Buffaloes will be Zambia’s representatives in next years CAF Confederations Cup that kicks off in February.
Buffaloes finish their league campaign in second position on 53, two more than third placed Power Dynamos who finished on the same number of points with the team they’ve displaced Kabwe Warriors today after the latter drew 1-1 away to Konkola Blades in Chililabombwe this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Buffaloes and Young Arrows teams were deadlocked until late in the 78th minute of the game on a rain-swept pitch at Buffaloes temporal home while Independence stadium is getting a new artificial playing surface laid.
Young Arrows and Zambia striker Kruger Mwansa opened scores in 11 minutes from time with a low shot before Newa Mwewa equalised a minute into injury time.
Just as it looked like the match was heading for a draw ex-Zambia Under-17 striker Lottie Phiri thumped in the winner from close-range a minute after Newa’s equalizer.
Buffaloes wrapped-up their season trailing 15 points behind champions Zesco United who beat hosts City of Lusaka 2-0 at the same venue in a lunchtime kickoff through a brace from Zambia midfielder Jonas Sakuwaha in the 25th and 51st minutes.
City have over the last month now played all their home games away from Woodlands stadium after the Lusaka City Council shut down the iconic venue due to poor sanitation there.
In the days other results, Power Dynamos finished strongly in third place after a 1-0 away win over Nchanga Rangers while Lusaka Dynamos faded in sixth place despite a 1-0 away win over Red Arrows at Nkoloma Stadium.
2006 league champions Zanaco wrapped-up their forgettable season in seventh place after a 1-0 win over Roan United thanks to a goal from junior international Chisamba Lungu.
FAZ PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK 30
17/11/2007
Konkola Blades 1 – Kabwe Warriors 1
Nchanga 0- Power Dynamos 1
Green Buffaloes 1 – Young Arrows 2
Red Arrows 0 – Lusaka Dynamos 1
City of Lusaka 0 – Zesco United 2
Zamtel 2 – National Assembly 0
Zanaco 1 – Roan United 0
Forest Rangers 1 – Nakambala Leopards 1