Green Eagles FC strengthened their position at the top of the 2026 ZPL Transitional League Stream B standings after recording a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Chirundu United FC.
Bulaya was the difference for the Zambia National Service-sponsored side, scoring twice in the second half with two headed finishes to secure maximum points for the Choma-based outfit.
The victory takes Green Eagles to 14 points, opening a two-point gap over second-placed Green Buffaloes, who have 12 points. The result also marked a return to winning ways for Perry Mutapa’s side after back-to-back goalless draws.
Speaking after the match, head coach Mutapa praised his players’ determination and their approach from the opening whistle, while acknowledging the challenge posed by an organised Chirundu United side.
“They are an organised side playing on a low and middle block, and they were good on transitions,” Mutapa said.
“I think we were in control in the first half and second half, though we gave them room in the last minutes. Coming off back-to-back 0–0 draws, we really needed these maximum points today. From the first whistle, there was that fight to score. We could have scored more – the last one-on-one from Derrick – but all in all, the boys pushed a lot.”
Despite moving to the top of the standings, Mutapa was quick to play down any early title talk, insisting that the team’s immediate priority is to secure safety from relegation and qualify for the ABSA Cup.
“In a 20-team league, the safety mark against relegation is around 40 to 43 points. For a 10-team stream like this, it’s about 20 to 23 points. So yes, it’s good to be on top, but we first have to pass the safety mark and secure qualification for the ABSA Cup. For now, we take every game as it comes. We haven’t passed that mark yet, so we must not be overconfident,” he explained.
The Green Eagles coach also expressed frustration over what he felt were inconsistent decisions by the match officials, particularly regarding yellow card bookings towards the closing stages.
“It’s only when we are losing that we should show frustration, but a foul isn’t automatically a bookable offence. In the first half, Chirundu’s number six, Wimanga, committed a foul, held onto the ball, and kicked it away without receiving a card. Yet towards the end, when we were leading, simple fouls resulted in yellow cards for us. It was a wrong call, but we take the win and keep moving,” Mutapa said.
The result keeps Green Eagles at the summit of Stream B with 14 points, two ahead of Green Buffaloes. Mutapa’s men will now look to build on the victory as they continue their push to reach the safety mark and secure a place in the ABSA Cup.
