Zanaco Football Club secured an important 3-2 victory over Trident FC in an entertaining MTN Super League Week 6 encounter played on Saturday at Sentinel Ground in Kalumbila.
The Bankers made a bright start to the encounter, taking the lead in the 15th minute through Araina Lambert, who found the back of the net to put Zanaco ahead.
We continued to apply pressure and doubled our advantage in the 21st minute when Kiala Wa Kiala scored to give us a 2-0 lead.
Zanaco maintained the advantage heading into the break and returned for the second half with the same attacking intent. Lambert completed his brace in the 49th minute, extending our lead to 3-0.
However, the hosts responded in the 62nd minute through Sam Sikasote, who pulled one back for Trident. Sikasote struck again in the 85th minute to complete his brace and set up a tense closing period.
Despite the late pressure, the Bankers remained organised and held on to their advantage through four minutes of added time to secure all three points on the road.
Speaking after the match, Head Coach Mumamba Numba described the result as a well-deserved victory, highlighting the team’s positive approach from the opening whistle.
“A very well deserved victory. We were playing against a determined Trident FC but the most important thing is that we showed intent from the word go and managed to get the three goals that have secured us the three points that we have gotten today,” said Numba.
The coach acknowledged that the team lost some concentration in the second half, particularly when defending crosses, which allowed the hosts to score twice. However, he was pleased with the team’s ability to remain strong and protect the lead.
“In the second half, Trident came strongly but we lost a bit of concentration especially on defending crosses, that is how our opponents managed to score the two goals that they’ve scored. But it is good that we remained strong and solid to protect the lead that we had,” he added.
Numba also provided an update on the players who picked up injuries during the encounter, indicating that the setbacks were minor.
“We have some injuries that we’ve picked up during this game but I think they are minor injuries and I’m sure they will get back to their feet as we go back to the surface,” he said.
The victory marked Zanaco’s second consecutive win, a development the coach believes will provide further motivation as the team prepares for its next assignment.
“Going two games on the trot winning is something that has motivated us. All we need is just to remain focused and continue preparing the team so that we can fight to collect maximum points as we play MUZA,” Numba said.
Zanaco will return to action on Wednesday when we host FC MUZA at Sunset Stadium, with the Bankers looking to build on this result and continue their positive run in the MTN Super League Transitional League.
