Veteran 42-year-old striker James Chamanga on Sunday inspired the defending Zambian league champions Red Arrows to the summit of the table.
The ex-Chipolopolo, Bush Bucks and Moroka Swallows striker and 2012 AFCON gold medal winner scored one goal in Arrows 3-0 home win over Kansanshi Dynamos at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Joseph Phiri scored the opener for Arrows in the 18th minute.
Chamanga extended Arrows lead in the 35th minute when he tapped in the ball to see the two-time Zambian champions take a two-nil halftime lead.
It was Chamanga’s first goal of the season who was Arrows number two top gun last season with 6 goals, ten goals behind Ricky Banda who went on to with the 2021/23 FAZ Golden Boot.
Chamanga could have added a brace in the 73rd minute but his header from a Fred Tshimenga cross was saved by Kansanshi goalkeeper Philip Sakauta.
He was substituted in the 76th minute but Arrows were not done as Chipolopolo midfielder Saddam Yusuf completed Arrows’ good day at the office in the 82nd minute.
Arrows win saw them jump from 14th to number one on 7 points tied with promoted Nchanga Rangers whom they have relegated to second position.
Kansanshi is second from bottom with 1 point after three rounds of games played in the 2022/23 season.
This is Chamanga’s third season with Arrows since returning to Zambia after a 15 years foreign stint that took him from South Africa to China.
Chamanga won the 2019/2020 Golden Boot when he ended the season with 16 goals.
He followed this up with 11 goals in the 2020/2021 campaign.
Meanwhile, Chamanga and Co turn their attention to continental matters over the next fortnight.
Arrows kick off their CAF Champions League preliminary round two-legged assignment against CD Primeiro de Agosto of Angola.
