Green Buffaloes Women’s Football Club’s 37-match unbeaten streak in the Zambian Women’s Super League came to an end on Wednesday afternoon when they were defeated 1-0 by Zesco Ndola Girls at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
The defending champions’ last defeat came on April 23, 2023, in Week 32 of the 2022/23 Women’s Super League, against Zesco Ndola Girls, coincidentally.
Charity Mubanga, a substitute, converted from the penalty spot after a Green Buffaloes defender handled the ball in the 18-yard area.
The solitary goal was enough for the Ndola side to earn maximum points and maintain their perfect start to the 2024-24 Super League season.
Zesco coach reveals he anticipated the win
Coached by William Zulu, Zesco has won all four of their opening matches and are second in the table with 12 points, level with league leaders Indeni Roses, who have a better goal difference.
Zulu described the match as tough, praising the players for their hard-fought victory. He is, however, aware of the team’s task ahead, stating that many games are remaining before the season ends.
“It’s a sweet victory for us. It was tough, I know, but the girls put in everything; they worked hard,” Zulu said.
“I knew we were going to win. I was waiting for this day to come, but we still have a long way to go.
“It’s too early for me to be saying that since we have beaten Green Buffaloes, we are winning the league. We still have to win more games, and we’ll see our direction.”
Zulu revealed that he anticipated how Green Buffaloes would set up going into the match against his team.
“The specifically came to defend; we urged our girls to open up our play until they handled in the box that penalty. Thank God Charity Mubanga scored,” he said.
Meanwhile, striker Charity Mubanga also echoed the coach’s sentiments, attributing the victory to hard work.
“It wasn’t an easy game; the reaction is happiness from us and the coaches. We wanted the victory today; this team has really troubled us. Buffaloes is not an easy team to beat; victory is what we needed to push into the next games to come,” Mubanga said.
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