Mabanga Boys Extend Unbeaten Home Streak with Thrilling 2-1 Victory Over Aguila Stars
In a pulsating Week 24 fixture at Independence Stadium in Solwezi, the fearless Mabanga Boys—Kansanshi Dynamos—once again proved why they are a force to be reckoned with at home. They edged Aguila Stars 2-1 in a match filled with drama, controversy, and moments of individual brilliance that have now extended their unbeaten home run to 12 matches.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions from the Start
The game started energetically as Aguila Stars struck first. In the 8th minute, Harrison Lungu capitalized on a well-placed cross from Paul Katayi to break the deadlock, giving the visitors an early lead. However, the momentum soon swung in favor of Kansanshi. Just eight minutes later, a contentious moment unfolded: Simon Tembo was seen handling the ball inside the box. Although the referee initially ruled it out, second assistant Jessey Mulosa corrected the decision, awarding a penalty. Stepping up with composure, Tranquilin Mwepu calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to level the score.
Kansanshi Take Control
With the game rebalanced at 1-1, the home side began to assert their dominance. In the 27th minute, Mwepu once again showcased his attacking instincts. Capitalizing on a defensive lapse, he pounced on a loose ball inside the box and fired a clinical finish to give Kansanshi Dynamos the lead. This goal not only swung the momentum decisively in their favor but also took Mwepu’s season tally to an impressive nine goals.
The first half was not without its near-misses. In the 36th minute, Mathews Mwale found himself in an excellent position but hesitated, opting to pass to Kizito Kezeron instead—a chance that ultimately went unconverted. Two minutes later, Mwale delivered a pinpoint cross to Dalitso Lungu, but his shot sailed over the bar, leaving the home side to wonder what might have been.
A bizarre twist occurred just before halftime when referee Tourist Shimabanse mistakenly blew for the break with two minutes still remaining. Protests from both teams quickly set things right, and play resumed to complete the half.
The Second Half: Battling for Every Point
After the break, Aguila Stars came out determined to salvage something from the match. Coach Zeddy Saileti made a couple of key substitutions in the 64th minute, bringing on Kelvin Chisamba for Dalitso Lungu and debutant Ignitius Kalunga, replacing Rabson Mumba. Kalunga nearly announced his presence in the 70th minute, coming close with a shot that just missed the target. Aguila Stars then had a chance of their own when Paul Katayi’s header narrowly went off target.
In a nail-biting 77th minute moment, a long ball took an awkward bounce near the penalty area, almost catching Raphael Zulu off guard. However, Zulu’s quick reaction ensured the danger was cleared in the nick of time. With time winding down, George Chisala was introduced for Mathews Mwale in the 85th minute to inject fresh energy into the squad. In the dying moments of the match, Kelvin Chisamba was perfectly set up by Kalunga, but Aguila’s goalkeeper pulled off a top-class save to deny a potential third goal.
Connecting the Results to the League Table
This hard-fought win moves Kansanshi Dynamos further up the league table and reinforces their status as one of the league’s most formidable home teams. With their unbeaten home streak now extended to 12 matches, the Mabanga Boys are not only setting the pace at Independence Stadium but are also in a prime position to challenge for promotion. Meanwhile, the narrow loss leaves Aguila Stars with valuable lessons on their attacking efficiency and defensive vulnerabilities, which they’ll need to address if they are to climb out of the lower half of the table.
Conclusion
Kansanshi Dynamos’ thrilling 2-1 victory over Aguila Stars encapsulates the passion and unpredictability of the MTN Super League. With individual performances like Mwepu’s clinical finishing and a few nervy moments that could have gone either way, the match provided fans with a showcase of what makes Zambian football so compelling. As the league enters its final stretch, every point is critical—especially for teams looking to secure promotion or avoid relegation. For now, the Mabanga Boys’ home form remains their greatest weapon, and they will be hoping to carry this momentum forward in the coming fixtures.
