Chinama: Buffaloes draw at Zesco not a setback

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Oct 26, 2021. 09:00

Green Buffaloes coach Justin Chinama has refused to categorize Saturday’s draw against ten-men Zesco United as a minor setback for the leaders and only unbeaten side in the 2021/2022 FAZ Super League season.

Defending FAZ Super League champions Zesco snatched a late point after equalizing from the penalty spot to finish 1-1 at home in Ndola.

Buffaloes have yet to taste defeat after eight games played with two draws that they have sandwiched with six successive wins.

“It is a fair result. Yes, they were one man down and I thought we should have capitalized on that with our numerical advantage but it never worked out,” Chinama said.

Buffaloes took the lead in the 53rd minute through Martin Njobvu after Zesco were reduced to 10 men in the 37th minute when midfielder Dickson Chapa was controversially sent-off.

Chapa saw red for a foul on Njobvu after he won the ball first in his tackle on the player.

Midfielder Kelvin Mubanga later earned Zesco a point from an 88th minute penalty.

“It is one of those things in football, otherwise a draw away from home is not a bad result,” Chinama said after Zesco halted Buffaloes’ six-match winning run.

The draw came a week after Buffaloes humbled Indeni 5-0 on October 15 at home in Lusaka.

“It is one of those results. In football, there is a win, a draw and a loss,” Chinama said.

“After winning handsomely last week, we picked a draw away from home which is OK for me because I believe we are still on the right path.”

Buffaloes lead the log on 20 points and are five points ahead of Nkwazi.

Zesco are third on 13 points from seven games played with a match in hand.