Napsa Stars are through to the CAF Confederations Cup group stages after eliminating Kenyan side Gor Mahia 3-2 on aggregate.
The second leg match played at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on Sunday ended in 2-2 draw sending Napsa to the group stages of the second-tier competition of African football for the first time in their history.
Napsa Stars coach Mohammed Fathi sighed with relief after his side netted a last minute penalty to scrape through following a first leg 1-0 win against Gor Mahia in Nairobi.
Samuel Onyango opened the scoring for Gor Mahia in the 17th minute before Austine Banda scored an equalizer for the Pensioners a minute later.
The visitors, who had arrived in Zambia just two hours to the match, added their second in the 20th minute courtesy of Clifton Miheso’s strike but Emmanuel Mayuka converted a 94th minute penalty to secure a scoring draw over a stubborn Gor Mahia.
“I am really excited and happy for what this group of players have achieved. We have made it for Napsa Stars, we have made it for Zambian football,” head coach Mohamed Fathi said on Sunday.
Napsa Stars will find out later on Monday know their opponents for the 2020/21 CAF Confederation group stages opponents when the draws are conducted in Cairo, Egypt.
How they lined up:
Napsa Stars Starting XI: Rabson Mucheleng’anga, Bornwell Silengo, David Odhiambo, Amos Simwanza, Luka Banda, Dickson Chapa, Daniel Adoko, Jacob Ngulube, Danny Sylavwe, Austine Banda, Bornwell Mwape,
Subs: Shaban Odhoji, Lawrence Chungu, Luka Ng’uni, Aaron Kabwe Jimmy Mukeya, Emmanuel Mayuka, Simon Nkhata.
Gor Mahia Starting XI: Boniface Oluoch, Philemon Otieno, Geoffrey Ochieng, Charles Momanyi, Andrew Juma, Ernest Wendo, Samuel Onyango, John Macharia, Jules Ulimwengu, Kenneth Muguna, Cliffton Miheso.
Subs: Gad Mathews, Kelvin Wesonga, Joachim Oluoch, Sydney Ochieng, Alpha Onyango, Tito Okello, Benson Ochieng Omala.
Photo credit: Zambia FA
