Red Arrows head coach Chisi Mbewe, who led his team to the 2024 ABSA Cup final, has his sights set on a season double.
Arrows defeated National Division League side Nchanga Rangers 2-1 at Kitwe’s Arthur Davies Stadium yesterday to advance to the final.
It was a rematch of the 2013 ABSA Cup final, in which Arrows triumphed against Nchanga Rangers, who are aiming to return to the Zambian Super League next season.
Angle Lubamba gave Rangers the lead in the 39th minute, and three minutes before halftime, Ricky Banda, Arrows hitman, equalized. Allasane Diarra in the 83rd minute secured the victory for the Airmen.
Speaking in a post-match interview, Chisi was delighted with the progression of his side to the ABSA Cup final match.
“We are happy the way the team has performed in the match. We never really wanted to be in a comfort zone because we were playing a lower league team.”
Mbewe’s side will meet a Numba Mumamba-drilled Kabwe Warriors side in the final on 12th May 2024. Warriors defeated last year’s ABSA Cup finalist FC MUZA 2-1 to reach their first-ever ABSA Cup final.
Warriors’ goal scorers were Godfrey Binga 3′ and Ocean Mushure (penalty) in the 88th minute, while FC MUZA’s scorer was Kelvin Mwanza in the 75th.
“Our target was that we compete and qualify for the Absa Cup final, which we have done and its good for us,” said Chisi Mbewe.
READ ALSO: Nchanga Rangers coach dares Red Arrows ahead of ABSA Cup semis.
The ABSA Cup winner will take home K800,000, while K350,000 is for second place. K25,000 will go to the ABSA Life Player of the Tournament, Top Scorer, and Golden Glove.