Green Buffaloes Football Club, who had to rely on results between Lumwana Radiants and Nkwazi FC to secure their spot in the 2025 ABSA Cup, have now set their sights on winning the prestigious competition.
The team sneaked into the top seven on Match Day 17 of the MTN FAZ Super League 2024/25 campaign, thanks to Nkwazi conceding in the second minute of added time to lose 1-0 to Lumwana Radiants last Thursday.
Speaking after Buffaloes’ final match of the year, a goalless draw against Red Arrows at Lusaka’s Edwin Emboela Stadium, head coach Masauso Tembo dismissed the notion that his team “sneaked” into the competition. Instead, he emphasized the hard work that earned them their qualification.
“It’s not sneaking; it’s hard work. We worked for it, we qualified, and we are going to win it,” Tembo declared.
After a 1-1 draw against Mufulira Wanderers on Wednesday, Buffaloes’ chances of qualifying for the ABSA Cup were left hanging by a thread. They needed Lumwana Radiants to beat Nkwazi, who only required a draw to seal their qualification. The dramatic late goal by Lumwana secured Buffaloes the seventh spot on the log, allowing them to sneak into the tournament.
“It’s not about sneaking in. We worked for it. They said seven teams, so we worked for it. We are number seven on the log, so we qualified,” Tembo reiterated.
Despite the qualification, Tembo expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s back-to-back home draws, lamenting missed opportunities in front of goal.
“Personally, I think it’s disappointing. Dropping points at home—too many draws. We really wanted to win this one,” he said.
Tembo noted some improvements in Red Arrows game compared to the draw against Mufulira Wanderers.
“I’m happy with what the players did today compared to the previous game. The way we played today—we played a good game,” he remarked.
Buffaloes came closest to scoring in the first half when skipper Chilimba Monga’s close-range header hit the upright—a highlight of the match.
“Today, we played our game. Possession in the first half, and we hit the crossbar. I think we created chances,” Tembo added.
The coach admitted his frustration at the team’s inability to convert chances, saying that the responsibility now lies with the players.
“As a coach, there’s a percentage of work you can do. If you’re creating chances, it’s up to the players to finish and put the ball behind the net,” he said.
Buffaloes end the year in eighth place on the log, with the league set to resume in January 2025.
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