Lions condemn Airborne Rangers to relegation zone
Red Lions FC on Saturday compounded misery on fellow soldiers Airborne Rangers with a 3-0 victory in a TNM Super League match at Zomba Community Centre ground.
Three goals in the last eight minutes of the game proved vital to condemn the soldiers from Salima to the relegation zone.
Steve Ziba was the architect when he scored a spectacular brace in the 82nd and 85th minutes. Second half substitute Kumbukani Mwambene hammered the last nail on the stroke of full time to make it 3-0.
opponent looks on
Lions’ first goal came from a direct free-kick awarded after Rangers defender Gift Zumazuma had deliberately handled the ball outside the goal area. He was shown a red card by referee Harrison Chiunda and Ziba scored from the resultant kick. Ziba put in the second goal with a 30-metre grounder which squirmed past the unsuspecting Christopher Kaira in goals for Rangers.
It was game over as Rangers players left the field of play looking dejected.
“This is the price you pay when you squander the chances,” said Airborne Rangers FC assistant coach Henry Khembo in a post-match interview. This means Rangers are stagnant on position 13 with 25 points from 26 games. They now have two games remaining to finish their league assignments this season.
On the other end, the Zomba-based soldiers have moved up to position six, albeit temporarily, with 34 points from 23 games played this far. Coincidentally, this was first win for coach Pritchard Mwansa after taking over from Collins Nkuna.
“I am very excited with this win because our colleagues were also looking for maximum points. It’s just unfortunate to them that they are fighting relegation. But my boys played according to instructions although it was a physical game,” said Mwansa.n
