Nkana crowned Zambian champs

Ronald Kampamba finished the as the MTN FAZ Super League top scorer for a second successive season as he inspired Nkana to a comeback, scoring a hat-trick that helped his team to a 4-1 victory over Red Arrows in a week 30 fixture at Nkana Stadium on Sunday.

The win meant that Nkana had won the league with 59 points, two points clear of Zesco United who defeated Nchanga Rangers via a lone goal scored by John Chingandu in Chingola.

The win also gave Nkana their 12th league title. The Wusakile-based side last won the title in 2001.

And for a personal record, Kampamba finished the season with 18 goals of which 6 were from the penalty spot.

Red Arrows had taken the lead in the 27th minute when Stanley Nshimbi turned in a Bruce Musakanya cross but Nkana pulled level a minute later when the ball slipped through Medson Luwawa’s fingers from Donashano Malama’s throw-in. The goal was disputed by Red Arrows players but referee Wisdom Chewe let it stand as an own goal by Luwawa.

Nkana’s second goal arrived in the 40th minute when Kampamba beat Luwawa from the penalty spot for the home side to take a 2 – 1 lead at the break/

Kampamba’s second goal came two minutes after the restart breaking on the left flank before firing a low shot beyond Luwawa from the edge of the area. Festus Mbewe, who was later sent off for a second bookable offence, provided the assist.

When everyone thought there would be no more goals in the match, Kampamba was not for the first time this season well placed to tap home a square pass from Albert Mwape in additional time.

Overwhelmed Nkana coach Masautso Mwale told fazfootball.com that the winning the league had not come on a silver platter.

“We worked hard for it and there were times when we thought we might not be able to achieve this because we contributed a lot of players to the national team for the Cosafa competition. Fatigue was a major factor but we managed to pull through because we kept on believing.

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“Coming into this game, we were not under pressure; we were not under pressure because we were confident that we would win. It has not been an easy season so I would like to dedicate this title to all our fans and to God without whom all this would not have been possible,” said Mwale.

Elsewhere deposed champions Zanaco defeated Power Dynamos 2-1 at Sunset Stadium to finish in fourth on the standings with 49 points. Aubrey Zulu bagged a brace for the home side while Julius Situmbeko scored the consolation goal for the visitors.