Kansanshi Dynamos Suffer First Defeat of the Season Against Leopards Hill
Match Report: Leopards Hill FC 1-0 Kansanshi Dynamos FC
Week Three – National Division One League
Venue: Toyota Arena, Lusaka
Kansanshi Dynamos FC endured their first defeat of the 2024/25 National Division One League season, losing 1-0 to Leopards Hill FC in a closely contested Week Three match at Toyota Arena in Lusaka. The loss halted Kansanshi Dynamos’ early momentum after two consecutive victories and highlighted the areas they need to refine as they continue their quest for promotion.
Match Overview:
After opening their season with back-to-back wins, Kansanshi Dynamos, under the guidance of Coach Zeddy Saileti, struggled to replicate their early form against a resilient Leopards Hill side. The game was decided by a single goal in the 59th minute, scored by Patrick Ngoma, who latched onto a precise pass from Portfer Zulu to slot home the decisive strike.
The match featured multiple missed opportunities from both teams, but Kansanshi Dynamos were particularly wasteful. In the first half, Leopards Hill had a promising free-kick in the 33rd minute, but it was comfortably saved by Kansanshi’s goalkeeper, Gregory Sanjanse. Two minutes later, Kansanshi’s forward, Kizito Kezeron, saw his effort calmly collected by Leopards Hill’s goalkeeper, Makasa Kalaba.
As the first half neared its end, Tranquilin Mwepu made an incisive run down the wing, only to lose control of the ball at a crucial moment, allowing the hosts to clear the danger.
Second Half Struggles:
The second half started with a flurry of activity from Kansanshi Dynamos, who earned back-to-back corners in the 50th minute, but both were poorly executed. Leopards Hill nearly extended their lead in the 54th minute but were denied by the offside flag.
Kansanshi Dynamos’ best chance to level the score came in the 64th minute when Kizito Kezeron unleashed a powerful shot that rattled the crossbar. Despite getting a touch on the ball, the Leopards Hill goalkeeper managed to push it over for a corner, which ultimately went unconverted.
The visitors continued to press for an equalizer but were left ruing their missed chances. In the 89th minute, Rodgers Lukonde delivered a pinpoint cross to Chali Mulaisho, who was unmarked in the box. However, Mulaisho’s header sailed over the bar, sealing Kansanshi Dynamos’ fate.
Coach’s Reaction:
Speaking after the match, Coach Zeddy Saileti expressed his disappointment with the team’s performance, citing a lack of coordination and failure to convert their chances as key factors in the defeat.
“It’s a disappointing result. We didn’t play our usual game. We failed to utilize our many chances, and they capitalized on their one good chance,” Saileti lamented. The coach will be looking for a quick response from his side as they prepare for their next home fixture.
Next Steps:
Kansanshi Dynamos remain with six points from their first three matches, and they will need to regroup quickly to stay in contention for promotion. Their next match will be crucial as they aim to bounce back in front of their home fans.
