Nkana have bounced back from the 1-0 derby defeat with a 3-1 win over Mines United, ending the team’s five-match winless run.
On Saturday, Nkana suffered a 1-0 loss to Power Dynamos in the Kitwe Derby at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
On Wednesday afternoon, the task was simple for Elijah Tana’s men: beat relegation-threatened Mines United and secure three important points in the march to safety.
It did not look that simple in the beginning, as Mines silenced the partisan Nkana fans at Ichilata with a 13th-minute goal from Luka Nguni.
Ten minutes before the end of the first half, Nkana levelled matters with a goal from skipper Harrison Chisala from close range.
Tied at the break, Nkana searched for ways to see off a side that has only managed two wins all season.
Substitute Dave Daka powered Nkana into the lead with a 58th-minute header before completing his brace in the 85th minute to seal the win.
The victory moves Nkana to 34 points, putting them on course to avoid relegation, while it is now a matter of when, not if, Mines will drop to National Division One.
Nkana assistant coach Josphat Nkhoma said his team capitalised on Mines’ defensive lapses.
“We saw that these guys [Mines] were clumsy, especially on their 4-5 [central defense] so we just said, ‘Let’s push in two strikers’,” Nkhoma said.
His Mines counterpart, Charles Kafula, regretted the result.
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