Green Eagles came from a goal down to win 2-1 away to Lusaka Tigers in a Week 31 match played at Independence Stadium on Saturday.
Ngole Ilunga gave the hosts the lead the in the 27th minute when he followed up on a back pass by a Green Eagles defender to put pressure on goalkeeper Kenneth Mwaanga whose attempt to dribble instead of clearing the danger resulted in the striker knicking the ball and rounding the goalkeeper before slotting into an unguarded net.
Five minutes later Lusaka Tigers could have doubled their advantage but Mwaanga made a double save to keep out attempts by Malela Sapu and Emmanuel Kabasa.
The equaliser came in the 57th minute when Andrew Phiri headed home from a corner delivered by Spencer Sautu.
Green Eagles were in ascendancy following the equaliser forcing Lusaka Tigers coach Chanda Mwape to bring on Martin Bwalya, Christopher Ndhlovu and Davies Mwanza for Chibesa Chanda, Frank Kaluba and Emmanuel Kabasa but it was Greenwell Witika who scored in additional time for the visitors to claim all three points.
The result means that Lusaka Tigers will be relegated should they fail to defeat already relegated Mufulira Blackpool on Wednesday, a situation which Mwape described precarious for Lusaka Tigers.
Mwape felt that the referee should not have allowed Witika’s goal.
“This loss has put us in a precarious situation. We wanted to collect maximum points and that would have meant something. It is unfortunate that we allowed this to happen otherwise my boys did a splendid job and it’s thumbs up to them. I think the referee should have done more to protect our goalkeeper for Green Eagles second goal,” said Mwape.
And Green Eagles coach Manfred Chabinga said he was hopeful of turning the tables despite conceding early.
“The goal we conceded in the first half was as a result of a defensive blunder by the goalkeeper but in the second half I told my boys that we could not afford to lose the match because we were the better side. That is how we scored two goals in the second half,” said Chabinga.
Chabinga’s side hosts Nchanga Rangers in a Week 32 fixture on Wednesday.