Kansanshi Dynamos secured their first victory of the 2026 MTN Super League Transitional Season with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Konkola Blades at Solwezi Independence Stadium on Saturday, delivering a timely response after their heavy defeat to FC MUZA.
The Fearless Mabanga Boys entered the encounter looking to get their campaign back on track after a 4-1 loss to MUZA, having started the season with a goalless draw against Makeni All Stars. They responded positively in front of their home supporters, with Joseph Ssemujju and Beby Musangala finding the net to secure maximum points.
Ssemujju gave Kansanshi an early lead in the fourth minute after applying pressure to force a turnover before finishing clinically. It was his second consecutive goal, giving the hosts an encouraging start as they looked to take control of the contest.
Kansanshi continued to threaten on the counterattack, with Ssemujju seeing an effort saved by Konkola Blades goalkeeper David Mumba in the 14th minute. The rebound fell to Francisco Madinga, but his attempt went wide.
The hosts created further opportunities before the interval. Madinga led a counterattack in the 31st minute and picked out Mathews Tolopa, whose effort was saved by Mumba. Beby Musangala then came close with headers in the 37th and 42nd minutes, but neither found the target.
Konkola Blades capitalised on their opportunity just before half-time when Idris Mbombo headed home from a corner in the 45th minute to level the scores at 1-1.
Kansanshi returned for the second half determined to reclaim the lead and made changes as they searched for a decisive goal. Their persistence paid off in the 74th minute when Emmanuel Kunda pulled Ssemujju’s shirt inside the penalty area, prompting the referee to award a spot-kick.
Musangala stepped up and calmly converted the penalty to restore Kansanshi’s advantage. The hosts then made further substitutions in the 85th minute as they sought to protect their lead, eventually holding on to collect their first three points of the campaign.
Head coach Denis Makinka praised his players for their response, highlighting their hard work, tactical discipline and determination following the defeat to FC MUZA.
“First of all, I want to say congratulations to the boys. They really worked hard just as we planned,” Makinka said.
The coach was particularly pleased with Kansanshi’s attacking display in the first half, although he acknowledged that the team should have made more of the opportunities they created.
“I thought we did very well, especially in the first half. I thought we would have scored even four in the first half, four or five. But we missed a lot of chances, and all the chances were face-to-face with the goalkeeper,” he said.
Makinka also praised the side’s ball retention, defensive organisation and transitions, crediting the players for applying the tactical instructions delivered by the technical bench.
“The ball retention was good today. The defensive organisation when we lost the ball, the transitions, I thought we did very well. Kudos to the boys for how they applied themselves,” he added.
Reflecting on the preparations following the loss to MUZA, Makinka said the technical bench had placed particular emphasis on helping the players move past the disappointment and approach the next match with the right mentality.
“We started with the mental aspect, mentoring the boys to forget about the loss against MUZA. We also spoke about how, when you lose one game, it is never the end, but just the pain. So today, we have overcome this pain,” he said.
The victory gives Kansanshi renewed momentum as they turn their attention to their next assignment against Zanaco. Makinka’s side will be looking to build on the result, improve their finishing and maintain the discipline that helped them overcome Konkola Blades.
FULL-TIME: Kansanshi Dynamos 2-1 Konkola Blades
Goals: Joseph Ssemujju 4’, Beby Musangala 74’ (penalty); Idris Mbombo 45’.
