Arrows top gun Banda’s drought continues

Defending Zambian champions Red Arrows suffered their first league defeat of the season on Thursday. In contrast, their top man and last season’s golden boot winner Ricky Banda extended his early season drought to four competitive matches.

Arrows were stunned 1-0 away by Kabwe Warriors on Thursday to hand the hosts collect their first league win of the season after losing at home last Saturday by the same margin as Forest Rangers.
The result sees Warriors join Arrows on 4 points after three rounds played.

Warriors scored as early as the 7th minute to earn when Chipolopolo defender Dominic Chanda headed in ex-Zimbabwe international Ocean Mushere’s cross.

However, Ricky Banda, whose 16 goals for Arrows last season propelled Arrows to their second-ever league title, continues to be a peripheral figure for the Lusaka club.

Banda’s best opportunity came in the 37th minute, but he failed to beat Warriors goalkeeper Scott Ngokane.

The Chipolopolo striker made way for veteran James Chamanga in the 62nd minute Arrows coach Chisi Mbewe took a holistic perspective on matters after seeing Arrows score just one goal in the three league games.

But Arrows have two competitive goals if you add their 1-0 victory over Napsa Stars in the season-opening 2022 Charity Shield final on August 13.

“Well, I would say the league is still fresh, but that is one area that we are still working on. I know for us to win games, we need to be utilising our chances,” Mbewe said.

“I think we go back into training, and that is one of our training ground objectives. We need to work on that because if you see, in defence, we are solid. In midfield, we are OK. It is just a matter of working on the finishing.

“But I am sure with time; we will improve on that.” Arrows’ only league goal of the season so far came in last Saturday’s 1-0 away victory over their predecessors Zesco United.

The champions are back in action this Sunday at home against Kansanshi Dynamos in their last domestic obligation before focusing on their 2022/23 CAF Champions League preliminary stage, first leg, a home game against Angolan club CD Primeiro de Agosto on September 10.