NAPSA Stars FC head coach Sipho Mumbi has has attributed his team’s 1-all draw against Mutondo Stars at Kitwe’s Arthur Davis stadium to poor officiating.
NAPSA Stars took the lead in the 28th minute through Evans Kayombo, who calmly finished to put the Pensioners ahead after a dominant first-half display.
After the break, Mutondo Stars’s Able Mulenga was fouled in the box resulting into a penalty. Kiala Wakiala stepped up and converted from the spot to restore parity for the hosts.
Speaking after the match, Mumbi described the encounter as challenging, citing both the playing surface and key moments that shaped the outcome.
“It was a very difficult game on a bad pitch because it was heavy. It was a game of two moments. In the first half we controlled the game, but in the second half I felt the officiating part would have done better,” Mumbi said.
Despite his frustrations, the NAPSA Stars coach acknowledged the nature of the game and accepted the point away from home.
“It’s football. We take a point because we played that way. We wanted to win this game, but football being what it is, we’ve drawn and we’ll take a point from Ntombi,” he added.
“Referees are human” – Mumbi.
Mumbi further revealed his dissatisfaction with what he termed “questionable decisions” by the match officials, stating that such moments can be demoralising for teams that prepare thoroughly.
“Referees are human, but It’s very disappointing sometimes when you prepare the whole week and you encounter such situations” he said.
NAPSA Stars will now shift focus to their next fixture against Green Eagles, which will again be away from home, as they aim to return to winning ways.
“Every game we play, we are playing to win. We just have to go back, prepare and play,” Mumbi concluded.
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