Champagne on ice as Red Arrows beaten in MTN Super League

The champagne is on ice for champions-elect Red Arrows after they were beaten 1-0 by Kabwe Warriors on Wednesday to leave them waiting a little longer for the MTN Super League crown.

Arrows, fresh from their Absa Cup success at the weekend, needed just a point to be crowned league winners too, but fluffed their lines and will have to wait until Saturday to have another go.

They still lead the league by nine points with three rounds remaining and a vastly superior goal-difference, so it is a matter of when and not if they are crowned champions.

But it was not on Wednesday as Killian Kanguluma’s goal after five minutes put Warriors into a lead they held through the game.

Second-placed ZESCO United kept up their exceedingly faint hopes with a 2-1 home win over FC MUZA, who were the only other side that could realistically catch Arrows.

Enock Sakala Jr put ZESCO ahead before they were pegged back by an equaliser from Andrew Phiri as he netted from a penalty early in the second half.

But a Dennis Nya goal on the hour-mark sealed the three points for ZESCO that also tightens their grip on second place and CAF Confederation Cup football next season.

Defending champions Power Dynamos are about to lose their crown, but put in an emphatic display as they won 5-0 at home to Forest Rangers.

Austin Muwowo scored a brace to go with goals from Frederick Mulambia, Moses Phiri and Joshua Mutale.

Nkwazi FC suffered a blow in their bid for CAF football next season as they lost 1-0 at home to Mufulira Wanderers thanks to Tresor Ilunga’s early goal, while already relegated Trident FC claimed just a fourth win in 31 games as they beat Konkola Blades by the same scoreline.

Kansanshi Dynamos boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 win over Mutondo Stars as Dave Daka scored just past the half-hour mark.

They remain four points from safety with nine points to play for.

Prison Leopards’ relegation fate was almost sealed as they played to a goalless draw with NAPSA Stars, while ZANACO earned a 1-0 win at Green Eagles as Isaac Shamujompa scored the only goal just before the hour-mark.