FIVE TALKING POINTS FROM OUR WIN OVER LEOPARDS

A Clifford Mulenga’s second half spot kick against Prison Leopards ensured Forest Rangers ended their two-match winless run.Mulenga converted the penalty at Trade Fair Grounds to hand Fole Malembe a 1-0 victory.The narrow win pushed the Ian Bakala coached side to fourth on the Super League table with 17 points.Here are the five things that caught our attention after the win.

FOREST END WINLESS RUN AND CLIMB TO FOURTH
Before last Saturday’s game, Forest had drawn 1-all with Nkana in Kitwe and lost for the first time this season when MUZA edged them 1-0 in Mazabuka in their previous fixture.But when Prison came calling,Forest made sure they collected maximum points on home turf to end the visitors’ nine-match unbeaten run.Champions Red Arrows are on top with 21 points.

FOREST RECORD BACK-TO-BACK HOME WINS
Victories at home have eluded Bakala’s men this season but it is encouraging to see them winning two matches on a bounce.Forest defeated Nchanga Rangers 1-0 during a Week Seven fixture at the same venue in what was their first home win of the season and they made it two straight home victories by beating Prison.

CLIFFORD NETS SECOND GOAL IN THREE MATCHES
Last season’s club top scorer, Mulenga took time to open his account this season.But the veteran is slowly starting to hit top gear and has now scored twice in the last three matches.The former international also scored in a draw against Nkana.Mulenga netted 11 goals last campaign.By netting the solitary goal against Prison, Mulenga took his Super League goal tally to 14 in Forest colours.

BILLY’S FIRST START
Experienced centre back, Billy Mutale has watched from either the bench or terraces this season but finally got the nod last Saturday.The former Nchanga Rangers, Power Dynamos and Nkana defender was picked to partner Cameroonian skipper Cedric Djeugoue in the heart of the defence.Mutale put in a good shift and never looked like someone who has rarely seen game time this season.Bakala is spoilt for choice at centre back with midfielder-cum-defender Chitoshi Chinga and Gerald Simusokwe all capable of partnering Djeugoue.Chinga has reverted to his old position in the last two matches while Simusokwe, who started the previous game was relegated to the substitute bench.

NARROW WINS CONTINUES
Fole have won four matches this season with all of them ending in identical fashion.Kabwe Warriors and Zanaco are the other teams that have suffered 1-0 losses at the hands on the Ndola side.Forest stunned both Warriors and Zanaco away.