Justin Shonga and Augustine Mulenga endured forgettable Saturdays following defeats in their respective Week 12 games of the 2022/23 Zambian Super League season.
Nkwazi striker Shonga and Napsa Stars midfielder Mulenga both returned to Zambia this season as free agents from the South Africa PSL after six and five seasons, respectively, away from the FAZ Super League.
Shonga was on the road this weekend with his club Nkwazi who were in action at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola, where they lost 1-0 to third-placed Forest Rangers.
SHONGA STARTED
The ex-Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City FC striker started the match for 13th-placed Nkwazi before he was substituted in the 70th minute.
Shonga has so far scored 3 goals from eight games played for Nkwazi. Nkwazi’s defeat at Forest was Shonga’s first taste of defeat since rejoining the Lusaka club.
In Lusaka at Edwin Emboela Stadium, former Pirates and Amazulu midfielder Mulenga started for number 10 side Napsa in their 2-0 away derby defeat at the hands of 5th-placed Green Buffaloes.
Mulenga, who was substituted in the 81st minute of the match, has now played five games for Napsa.
He has made Napsa’s starting XI in his last four successive appearances, scoring one goal since joining Napsa in October.
Elsewhere, goalkeeper Mwenya Chibwe missed Zesco United’s Saturday away match against Zanaco in Lusaka due to an ankle injury he sustained in league action a week ago.
Nine-time Zambian champions Zesco suffered a 1-0 loss to the seven-time winners Zanaco in that match.
Zanaco and Zesco are 6th and 7th on 18 and 17 points, respectively, after 12 rounds of matches played.
Meanwhile, it will be business as usual in the Zambian league that will not take a break despite the looming FIFA World Cup that will be held in Qatar from November 20 to December 18.
