CHIPEPO’S FIRST HOME VICTORY

03 Dec CHIPEPO’S FIRST HOME VICTORY

Forest Rangers yesterday secured a thrilling  1 nil victory against Power Dynamos at Dola Hill Stadium.

The new head coach Mwenya Chipepo seemed to have found his winning formula just two weeks after taking charge of the team from Power Dynamos.

The match got off to an exciting start with the home team taking the lead sixteen minutes into the game.

Malembe caught Power on a counter after Lazarous Chishimba quickly incepted a ball from Owen Tembo in Dynamos’ half, a quick pass to Moro Amenu then Quadri Kola who extended it to Moyela Libamba and his beautiful strike was slotted in at the far post.

On 38 minutes, a cross from Benson Kolala landed on Tiki Chiluba who was well positioned in the box but his shot went wide.

After the half time break, The visitors had a golden chance through Andy Boyeli but his header was just inches wide.

In the 50th minute, Libamba had a chance to get a brace through a one on one encounter with Willard Mwanza who beat him to it.

The technical bench were quick to make substitutes, the first one was a forced substitute after an injury on Moro Amenu who was replaced with Eric Chomba on 62 minutes, Gerald Simusokwe for Tiki Chiluba and Felix Banda came in for Quadri Kola on 65 and 70 minutes respectively.

Forest went on to defend their slender lead to collect maximum points in front of their beloved home fans.

Chipepo was very impressed with the way the team played, citing that he found an already made side that just needed a little bit of work done.

“The coaches who were here before left a good side and We will just have to work with the players because they have been responding very well during training.” said coach Chipepo.

One of the evident changes made in the line up against Power Dynamos was Chipepo’s decision to rest Jack Chirwa for Benson Kolala.

” I was very happy with how he played because he showed in training that he can do it and as a coach sometimes you have to risk and put in players who performed during training. And that’s how we want to work, fusing in players based on how they performance in training.” said Chipepo in response to Kolala’s first start.

This victory moves Forest from 11th to 10th on the log with 18 points after Week 14 of the MTN Super League.

The team will now shift their focus to the derby against Zesco United on Saturday.

FOREST RANGERS WEEK 14 STARTING XI :

Daniel Mutshinemu , Leonard Makonga, Dieugo Apanane, Cedric Djeugoue (C) , Chitoshi Chinga , Benson Kolala , Tiki Chiluba (Gerald Simusokwe 65′ ) , Quadri Kola (Felix Banda 70‘) , Moro Amenu (Eric Chomba 62′) , Moyela Libamba, Lazarous Chishimba