Emmanuel Amunike’s winless start at Zanaco continued on Saturday when his team finished scoreless away against Justin Shonga’s team Nkwazi.
This Lusaka derby lived up to expectations as historically a sparkless affair despite being spiced- up by the elements of Amunike on the bench as Zanaco’s technical advisor.
In the opposite half, we had Shonga on the pitch as Nkwazi striker in his third game back home since rejoining the Lusaka club in September after five years in South Africa and Egypt.
But it was Nkwazi who were the better side despite the meagre chances they had starting with Christopher Zulu’s 24th minute effort that was deflected out for a corner by Zanaco defender Boyd Musonda.
Shonga had a reasonably quiet day although he almost turned provider in the 31st minute Zulu elected for power rather than a rational tame shot from the former’s layoff inside the box.
The Nkwazi bench and Shonga did not hide their displeasure after that wasted glorious opportunity by Zulu.
However, the second half offered little optimism even though Shonga managed to clock his first 90 minutes for Nkwazi after stretching it to the hour mark in his first two games back.
Meanwhile, Shonga’s Nkwazi were the biggest winners on the day and extended their unbeaten for a second successive match.
Nkwazi won their first game of the season last Sunday with that 4-0 away victory over Buildcon in Ndola.
Amunike on the other hand picked up his second successive draw; seven days after Zanaco stole a late equalizer against defending champions Red Arrows in another Lusaka derby that finished 1-1 at home on October 1.
The draw left Zanaco 12th on 8 points while Nkwazi stayed put at number 15 on 6 points after seven rounds of matches played this season.
Prison Leopards continue to be the surprise early leaders on 15 points following a 3-1 home win over Chambishi on Saturday.
Defending Zambia champions Red Arrows are second on 14 points after ending Green Buffaloes’ unbeaten start to the campaign with a 1-0 home win in the second Lusaka derby kickoff of the Nkoloma Stadium doubleheader.
