PACESETTERS Nkana yesterday beat relegation-fearing Roan United in Luanshya in this tight week 25 match to open up a six points lead at the helm of the table, the Times of Zambia reports.

Without hitting their finest form, the Patrick Phiri side weakened by injuries of three first-team players Aston Mbewe, Charles Bwale and Fraser Kamwandi, scored through former under-20 star Ezzy Lundu in the 77th minute.

Lundu, who had replaced Gamma Mwelwa in opening minutes of the restart, cracked a close range right foot drive past Roan goalie Chola Banda after receiving a crisp pass from Solomon Banda who only few minutes earlier supplanted Douglas Chiwaya.

The goal which pushed Nkana’s points tally to 50 came after the 1999 champions survived a scare in the 57th when Justin Sakala’s effort ricocheted off the bar.

In the first half, Roan left-back Ackim Mbasela was injured and had to be replaced after crushing into the upright as he cleared a Mwelwa effort from the line.

Seemingly aware than his side will require a much more compelling performance against second-placed Kabwe Warriors in Saturday’s top-of-the-bill showdown, Phiri demanded his squad to work out immediately after yesterday’s unconvincing win over a side that lost 5-0 to Green Buffaloes last weekend.

Ndola 2 Blades 1
Ndola United yesterday got a sweet revenge over Konkola Blades whom they beat in their mid-week Premier league match played in Ndola, reports Felix Malunga at Musa Kasonka.

Blades, who had walloped Ndola 6-0 in the week 10 encounter, looked a shadow of themselves in the second half of this week 25 fixture and allowed Ndola to penetrate into their territory at will.

Ndola first inked the scoresheet in the 55th minute through Kelvin Mwansa before substitute Enock Sakala scored the winner in the 76th minute.

Blades’ consolation goal came through a penalty conversion in the 69th minute by Joseph Bwalya.

Wanderers 1 Indeni 0
Indeni’s bid to pull out of the relegation waters was yesterday checked by Wanderers who beat them narrowly in this week 25 Premier Division fixture, writes Rogers Kalero at Shinde.

The tightly-contested match saw the Kenneth Malitoli tutored side displaying good football, but it was the former Nkana and Nchanga Rangers striker Dan Kayi who brought smiles on the faces of the home fans when he scored an 83rd minute goal to separate the two sides.

The goal came after an interchange of passes involving Thom Chisha, Dears Kakunta before Fred Kabeya sent a through ball which found Kayi unmarked who unleashed a shot to beat goalkeeper Norbert Mupasa.

Rangers 0 Zamsure 0
Goal-shy Nchanga Rangers allowed visiting Zamsure to hold them to a barren draw in this highly tempered week 25 Premier Division match played in Chingola yesterday, Richards Mwanza reports from Nchanga.

The home team who should blame themselves had Modesto Mwamba failing to beat the visitors goalkeeper Felix Muzyamba who twice saved his team from defeat by stopping Mwamba’s efforts in the first half.

Muzyamba who must have been the man of the match was first called to duty in the 23rd minute when he saved a Mwamba volley which was heading into the net much to the disappointment of coach Fordson Kabole.