FOREST ADDS IT’S NAME TO THE LIST OF CHARITY SHIELD WINNERS

Forest Rangers last Saturday engraved their name in Zambian football history books after beating Power Dynamos 3-1 in the Carling Black Label Charity Shield at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

Victory in the competition otherwise known as Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield marked another first for Malembe as they added another trophy after ABSA Cup to their cabinet this year.

Before Saturday’s victory Forest had never won the Charity Shield.

As expected the match started on a high tempo with Super League champions Power controlling proceedings in the first few minutes.

And it has not long before they took the lead through talisman Andy Boyeli.

Boyeli tapped in from close range after a corner from Joshua Mutale was headed into his path by Linos Makwaza Jr in the 14th minute.

But their celebrations were curtailed 10 minutes later after Forest leveled in stylish fashion.

Defender Dieugo Apanane searching ball on 24 minutes found Quadri Kola on the right wing and the Nigeria released to striker Moyela Libamba, who unleashed a powerful shot into the roof of the net beyond the reach of keeper Lawrence Mulenga.

Forest went ahead for the second, 40 minutes after defender Gerald Simusokwe nodded in Eric Chomba’s corner.

Midfielder Lazarous Chishimba extended the lead after benefitting from a Mulenga howler on the stroke of half time.

Mulenga spilt Libamba’s ferocious shot into the path of Chishimba who made no mistake to ensure Forest led 3-1 going into the interval.

In search of the two goals, Power coach Mwenya Chipepo made a quadruple change resting Aaron Katebe, Makwaza Jr, Mutale and Owen Tembo for ex-Forest attacker Cephas Mulombwa, Salulani Phiri, Frederick Mulambia and John Soko respectively.

The changes however managed to engineer Power’ most convincing chance in the second half with Mulambia firing an inches wide on 74 minutes while Mulombwa also came close but his effort went into the skies.

With fans given the leverage of selecting who they wanted to see make the starting lineup, coach Ian Bakala had no option but bench new singings Jack Chirwa, Obed Masumbuko and Felix Banda but the trio were given a run in the first half and second half.

Chirwa was introduced for Monday Bwalya in the first half while Masumbuko and Banda made their debut after replacing Chomba and Joe Wallace Banda in that order.

Libamba could have completed his brace but was brilliantly denied by Mulenga on 80 minutes.

With Forest leading comfortably, Bakala rested Chishimba for captain Cedric Djeugoue with five minutes left on the clock as Forest readied to lift the trophy.

Victory was a morale booster to Forest ahead of this weekend’s opening league fixture against Kabwe Warriors on Sunday.