KASH CASHES IN HIS FIRST VICTORY

25 Sep KASH CASHES IN HIS FIRST VICTORY

The match between Forest Rangers and Nkana FC always promises to be exciting, with fans usually anticipating a cracker and the week five  did not disappoint.

In the last ten games, Forest has five wins, three draws, and two losses.

A few weeks ago, before their clash with Nkana, Forest’s head coach Ian Bakala moved across town to join the Kitwe side.

The return of Bakala to the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium against his former side did not go as planned for the new Nkana head coach.

On the other hand, his former assistant Kennedy Kashobondo last week started off on a disappointing note after his team allowed Mutondo Stars to come from behind to collect maximum points and was desperate for a victory to ease the pressure.

“This game was a good test to prove that I am also heading somewhere in my coaching career. The victory is also a huge confidence booster for both me and the players, because we have gone three games without a victory. So we are very happy to have won,” Kashobondo said in his post-match interview.

The game began with the visitors having the clearer chances at goal but with little to show for it. 10 minutes before the break, Forest Rangers had the perfect chance to take the lead with an incredible freekick taken by Jack Chirwa that went over the wall and straight at Kelvin Malunga, making the perfect save.

Malembe seemed the better side in the second half, creating more chances.

After 55 minutes, Tiki Chiluba came on in place of Joe Banda, and his first touch had Malunga stretching to full capacity.

Fifteen minutes later, defender Chitoshi Chinga took matters into his own hands, putting Forest in the lead with a superb strike that was tucked in the left corner of the net.

Nkana attempted to equalize in the 87th minute, but Daniel Mutshinemu, in goal, was keen to maintain a clean sheet for the Ndola side.
The game went on to produce no other goal, handing Malembe all three points.

Former coach Ian Bakala said he knew this would be a tough encounter because he knows the team very well.

“The players at Forest have been together for a long time, which allows them to play well together. I left a few weeks ago, but it looks like they just picked up where I left off. When it comes to our team, we went down when our captain, Harrison Chisala, got a knock, which disturbed our game plan. But I also feel the players need to improve on their mental strength for us to start winning,” said Bakala.

Forest have eight points from 5 games, and will be facing FC MUZA next in Mazabuka.

FOREST RANGERS WEEK 5 STARTING XI :

Daniel Mutshinemu , Leonard Makonga, Dieugo Apanane , Cedric Djeugoue (Captain) , Chitoshi Chinga , Jackson Chirwa , Joe W Banda (Tiki Chiluba 55) Quadri Kola , Moro Amenu (Moyela Libamba 74′), Eric Chomba (Obed Masumboko 68′) , Lazarous Chishimba.