An awkward incident occurred in the match between Zanaco and Green Buffaloes at Sunset Stadium on Friday afternoon, with Buffaloes allegedly fielding 12 players at one point before it was noticed by the match officials.

Amateur footage circulating online appears to show that Buffaloes had an extra player on the pitch during their 1-1 draw against Zanaco.

Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba joked about the incident, saying Buffaloes were so eager for a result that they temporarily fielded an extra player.

“I think it was good that we realised quickly and communicated to the fourth official. I think they really wanted something out of this game, and that is why they did that,” Numba said with a laugh.

Meanwhile, Zanaco missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the MTN Super League by five points after the draw. The Bankers, an improved version of last season’s squad, remain top with 15 points, three ahead of second-placed Nchanga Rangers. A victory could have stretched their advantage further.

After a scoreless first half, Numba’s side took the lead just before the break when Ian Sindaya found the net in the 43rd minute. Zanaco looked on course for all three points, but their advantage was short-lived. In the 77th minute, they conceded a penalty, which was calmly converted by long-serving Green Buffaloes defender Chilimba Moonga.

The draw marked a second consecutive stalemate for Aggrey Chiyangi, who returned to Sunset Stadium to face his former club and Numba, a coach he once worked with.

Numba described the result as fair.

“Looking at the team we were playing, I knew it wouldn’t be an easy game against Buffaloes. We couldn’t find a winning goal, but a draw against a team like Buffaloes is a fair result for us,” he said.