Perry Mutapa returned to NAPSA Stars to guide Green Eagles to a 2 nil victory over his former employers at Lusaka’s REIZ Arena on Saturday.

In their season opener for both sides, the two teams made their intentions from the first whistle through a display of neat passes to try and score first.

In the 22nd minute, George Chaloba gave the visitors a well deserved lead. Just before the interval, Collins Sikombe extended the lead for Tonka Twende.

At the resumption of second stanza, despite carrying a 2 nil lead, the Choma based side continued to push for their third as the home side chased for an equalizer, which never came.

In a post-match interview with journalists NAPSA head coach Sipho Mumbi did not hide his displeasure with the defeat.

“Very disappointing, I think in the first 10 minutes, we were in control of the game, but the lapses by our players made us lose the match“

He attributed the defeat to communication break down in his team.

“We created so many spaces that we gave Eagles room to play and pass the ball.”

The former Nkana assistant coach is however, hopeful that the home loss will encourage the team to wake up ahead of upcoming fixtures.

“The entire team needs to do better, not just the back line,” he said. “I guess we will need to go back to the basics on how to defend.”

In their second league match, Napsa Stars will travel to face Might Mufulira Wanderers, on August 23, 2025, at Shinde stadium.

Mufulira Wanderers registered a 2-1 away win over super league debutant Mines United in Kabwe on Saturday.