Striker Lazarous Kambole struck in the third minute of added time as Nkana FC secured a dramatic 1-0 Zambia Super League win over NAPSA Stars at REIZ Arena in Lusaka on Sunday.
The result lifted the Kitwe side to the top of the MTN Super League Stream A standings with 16 points from seven matches. There was an early opportunity for Nkana when midfielder Nduna Zulu fired wide from distance in the fourth minute.
The visitors continued to search for an opening, with Nduna again going close in the 21st minute after meeting a Charles Zulu free-kick, but his header went over the crossbar. Kambole also tested the NAPSA defence, sending an effort wide in the 28th minute as the two sides went into the break level.
Nkana returned for the second half with renewed attacking intent and nearly broke the deadlock ten minutes after the restart. Nduna Zulu found himself one-on-one with NAPSA goalkeeper Charles Lawu, but the shot-stopper produced an important save to keep the scores level.
Charles Zulu was next to test Lawu in the 67th minute, with the goalkeeper again making the save. Moments later, Clement Mwape’s header from a corner went over the crossbar. The visitors continued to press for a breakthrough. Kambole came close in the 75th minute after being set up by Nduna Zulu, but Lawu produced another point-blank save.
With the match approaching its conclusion, Nkana maintained their search for a winning goal. Three minutes of additional time had been indicated when the breakthrough finally arrived. Kambole found the back of the net in the 90+3rd minute, sending the travelling Kalampa faithful into celebration and securing all three points for Nkana.
It was another decisive contribution from the striker, who had recently been named Nkana FC Player of the Month for October.
