Forest Rangers Football Club left it late on Saturday, salvaging a 1-1 draw against ten-man Kabwe Warriors in an MTN Super League Week 23 clash.

Rangers head coach Ian Bakala discussed his team’s will to give Warriors interim coach Happy Sichikolo his first league loss prior to this Week 23 match.

Making his debut return to the ZPL, Chris Mugalu struck in the 90th minute to deny the visitors all three points at Dolla Hill Stadium.

Kabwe Warriors had taken the lead just 20 minutes into the match through Simon Tonga, setting the tone for a hard-fought encounter.

Their momentum was disrupted when Kabaso Chongo was red carded in the 85th minute, leaving them with a numerical disadvantage in the closing stages.

Warriors assistant coach Derick Mulenga partly attributed the dropped points to the sending-off.

“We started well, according to our approach,” Mulenga said. “Got an early goal, missed a few chances—should have killed the game. Toward the end, we got a red card, and that affected our organization. Managed to defend for a few minutes, but lost concentration—that’s how we allowed the goal.”

Forest Rangers Is An Organized Side.

Kabwe Warriors and Forest Rangers were unable to separate this season due to the draw, since both games ended in draws.

But, Mulenga dismissed suggestions that Forest Rangers had become a tough opponent for his side.

“In football, it’s about how you approach the game,” he noted. “First round was different, different approach, different game. Forest isn’t a bad team—well organized, good players. But losing a man gave them an advantage.”

Despite the setback, Warriors remained top of the table with 11 games to go. Their position could be under threat if Zesco United secures three points against Mufulira Wanderers on Sunday.

Mulenga, though, has already shifted focus.

“This game is gone,” he stated. “We’ll work on our mistakes, prepare for the next one. Getting a point away—not bad.”