NKANA TRIUMPH

ZAMBIAN clubs have continued to impress in the CAF inter club championships as Nkana and Green Buffaloes emulated Zesco United and Green Eagles by winning their respective first leg preliminary fixtures played yesterday. Kitwe-based Nkana celebrated a 2-1 away victory over UD Songo from Mozambique thanks to Harrison Chisala and Festus Mbewe's goals in the first and second half respectively.

Chisala gave the visitors the lead when he broke the deadlock in the 34th minute of the game while Mbewe doubled Nkana's lead ten minutes before the final whistle. “Kalampa” however, failed to keep a clean shit away from home as Sunday Asawa scored a consolation goal for the home team for the match to end 2-1 in favour of Nkana. Meanwhile, Green Buffaloes beat El Merreich of Juba from Sudan 2-0 in the first leg preliminary fixture played yesterday at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

Two second half goals from Friday Samu and Stewart Chikandiwa were enough to see the Zambia Army side collect maximum three points.

Samu gave Buffaloes the lead in the 61st minute before Chikandiwa made it 2-0 with a brilliant long range shot in the 73rd minute.

Buffaloes dominated play from the first whistle and created numerous scoring opportunities.

The soldiers however failed to find the back of the net in the first half which ended goalless.

Chikandiwa had the first shot on target for Buffaloes but saw his shot saved in the 9th minute as Sebastian Mwansa’s rebound hit the post.

Mwansa had another attempt saved in the 14th minute after dribbling past two El Merreikh defenders.

Stephen Kabamba had a chance to put Buffaloes in the lead but failed to score with only the goalkeeper to beat in the 30th minute.

Chikandiwa saw his free kick hitting the right side of the woodwork following Felix Katongo was fouled a few meters from the 18-yard in the 39th minute.

Substitute Mike Katiba could have been the one to break the deadlock for Buffaloes but opted to send his shot wide four minutes before halftime.

Buffaloes maintained their dominance of the game in the second half as Samu and Chikandiwa scored for the hosts who will carry a two-goal advantage when they visit Sudan next week.

Zambia’s other CAF envoys, Zesco United were 2-1 winners against Sondeep of Niger in the Champions League first leg preliminary round in Niamey on Tuesday.

In Choma, Green Eagles, making their debut in continental football beat Young Buffaloes of Eswatini 2-0 in a Confederations Cup first round fixture.