THE MTN Super League returned from the international break with a thrilling midweek round of Week-27 fixtures, serving up drama at both ends of the table as title contenders strengthened their ambitions while relegation-threatened sides fought desperately for survival.

At Nkana Stadium, Red Arrows completed a season double over 13-time champions Nkana FC with a hard-fought 2-1 victory.

The Airmen made an assertive start and were rewarded in the 14th minute when Joseph Phiri rose highest to head home and silence the home crowd.

Nkana responded positively and nearly found a route back into the contest, but Charles Kalumba produced a superb save to deny a well-worked attacking move.

Red Arrows continued to threaten, with Godfrey Ngwenya striking the upright as the visitors pushed for a second goal.

Kalampa finally drew level just before the break when veteran Lazarus Kambole applied the finishing touch to Charles Zulu’s inviting square pass, sending the sides into half-time on level terms.

However, a costly defensive lapse early in the second half proved decisive.

Ngwenya restored Arrows’ lead in the 61st minute from close range, capitalising on slack marking to hand the visitors what ultimately proved to be the winning goal.

Despite late pressure from the hosts, Arrows held firm to secure all three points and complete a memorable double over the Kitwe giants.

The result lifted Arrows to 51 points, closing the gap on leaders Power Dynamos to just one point, having played three games more, while Nkana slipped to 12th on the table.

Nkana assistant coach Josphat Nkhoma admitted the challenge posed by Arrows and pointed to defensive shortcomings as the difference.

“Tough game as usual. Red Arrows are fighting for the championship. We prepared well but luck wasn’t on our side today, can’t blame anyone although the goals they scored us today were due to loose marking I’m defense and I think that’s the only thing we need to work on now,” Nkoma said.

He urged the team to focus on themselves rather than results elsewhere as they look to finish the season strongly.

“Zesco might have won but I think where we are right now, we don’t have to look at any club or any team winning or losing. I think it’s only us. The onus is on us as a team. And we need to plan well, especially the games that are remaining. It’s how you plan it. We have seven games to go. We don’t lose hope. And I think we’ll come back from that, I know we’ve played about four games, we never lost, and today we’ve lost. I think we have a lot of work to work on, especially that we are playing another debut with Power Dynamos,” said Nkhoma.

Meanwhile, at Independence Stadium in Solwezi, Kansanshi Dynamos produced one of the standout results of the round by edging NAPSA Stars 3-2 in an intriguing encounter.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Zeliat Nkhoma marked his first goal for the club with a brilliant header from Rodgers Lukonde’s corner.
NAPSA responded swiftly as Dickson Chapa converted from the penalty spot after Titus Chivunga handled inside the area.

Kalonji Mwepu restored Kansanshi’s advantage in the 54th minute, only for Chapa to strike again four minutes later to level matters for a second time.

With the match finely poised, the decisive moment arrived in the 83rd minute when Brian Mwila calmly converted a penalty to secure three priceless points for the Mabanga Boys.

The victory delighted coach Dennis Makinka, who praised his side’s effort despite lapses in concentration.

The result moved Kansanshi five points clear of the relegation zone, while NAPSA remain in deep trouble in 16th place.

At President Stadium in Kabwe, the bottom-of-the-table clash between FC Leopards and Mines United produced a crucial result for the hosts who boosted their survival hopes with an emphatic 3-0 victory.

Joy Yolamu gave Leopards the perfect start in the 7th minute, heading home from Obeddy Masumbuko’s cross.

The lead was doubled just before half-time when Emmanuel Chabula converted from the spot after a handball in the box.

Mines United had a golden opportunity to pull one back before the interval but squandered a penalty, a miss that proved hugely costly.

Their misery worsened in the 70th minute when Richard Ocran was sent off for a second bookable offence, reducing the visitors to ten men.

Leopards took full advantage in stoppage time, with substitute Emmanuel Kunda adding a third to seal the win.

The victory offered fresh hope to Leopards, who moved level on 24 points with NAPSA, while Mines United now appear increasingly destined for relegation.

Elsewhere, ZESCO United climbed to 11th on the log after edging Green Buffaloes 1-0 courtesy of Emmanuel Mwanza’s 44th-minute strike.

ZESCO dominated much of the first half, but Buffaloes goalkeeper Maputa kept his side in the game with two outstanding saves in quick succession to deny Manda from close range.

Mwanza finally broke the deadlock just before the interval, firing home what proved to be the decisive goal.

Buffaloes pushed for an equaliser after the break, but ZESCO’s defence stood firm to secure a second successive victory.

Meanwhile, at Konkola Stadium, Konkola Blades and Mutondo Stars shared the spoils in an entertaining 1-1 draw.
Stephen Mutama gave the home side an early lead in the 5th minute, but Mutondo Stars responded swiftly through Osmond Chita in the 19th minute.
Mutama nearly restored the advantage two minutes later with a long-range effort, but the goalkeeper gathered comfortably.

Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but neither could find the decisive breakthrough, forcing them to settle for a point apiece.

With just seven rounds remaining, the title race and relegation battle are both gathering intensity, setting up a thrilling finish to the MTN Super League season.