22 Jan A 5-STAR PERFORMANCE FROM MALEMBE
Forest Rangers Fans last weekend had every reason to walk with their heads high after their team beat town rivals, Buildcon FC 5 nil in a week 20 Ndola Derby at Trade Fair.
As derby’s are always known to be dramatic, this one was no different. A 5 goal thriller, a brace from Quadri Kola who was hungry for game time in the second half of this season, A Moro Amenu brilliant solo effort and another brace from the team’s top scorer Moyela Libamba, bringing his goal tally to 9.
In the recent past, Buildcon has always had the upper hand over Forest, having beaten them home and away last season and being one of the 4 teams they managed to pick a point from this season.
But after 3 consecutive draws, Forest was not about to allow the relegation threatened side slip their hands.
Unlike the previous two matches at the start of the second half, Coach Ian Bakala had options this weekend, his full backs who were out injured, Dieugo Apanane and Leonard Makonga, quickly recovered and were available for selection. Nigerian striker, Quadri Kola was back too, after serving his two match ban after a straight red against his former side ZESCO United.
Coming into the game, Buildcon’s Christopher Chola took the first shot at Allan in the 8th minute but his short went wide. Forest responded with a counter and the result was no different.
15 minutes later, after an interchange of passes in the box, Quadri Kola put the ball in the back of the net and the visitors were in the lead.
Just before the break, a brilliant solo effort by Moro Amenu from near the center line, all the way into the box beating Malekani put Forest 2 Goals up.
Into the second half, the home side had a dead chance which could have seen them pull one back but Allan Chibwe punched it out.
In the 69th minute, Monday Bwalya formerly of Buildcon, was Substituted for Moyela Libamba. He introduced himself into this game with a great short which went slightly wide. 5 minutes later, he got Forest their 3rd goal.
13th minutes later, Kola completed his brace and just before the full time whistle Moyela followed suite.
In a post match interview with the media, Coach Ian said he thought his strikers could have scored more than two but he believes the team needs to continue what they have been doing in training to get similar results.
“It’s the first time the team has scored 5 goals since I joined but I still believe the strikers would have scored more goals. It will be good for us to continue what we have been doing in training so we can continue to get similar results.” said Coach Bakala.
This victory away, has closed in the gap to log leaders Power Dynamos from 6 to 4 points difference and brought Forest back to 2nd on the log tied with 3rd placed FC MUZA at 34 points and only separated by goal difference.
Our next fixture is at home against ZANACO FC at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium (the match will be live on Supersport) on Sunday the 29th January, 2023.
Full Squad:
Allan Chibwe, Leonard Makonga, Dieugo Apanane, Cedric Djeugoue, Chitoshi Chinga, Joe Banda, Eric Chomba, Lazarous Chishimba( Robson Phiri 82′), Moro Amenu, Quadri Kola, Monday Bwalya (Moyela Libamba 69′)
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