Nkana recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Zanaco in a Zambia Super League match which was played at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe on Wednesday afternoon.
The win sees them jump to the second position in the table while Zanaco stay tenth but still remain theoretically in contention for league honours too.
Nkana started positively with the first shot on goal in the third minute, but Richard Ocran saw his powerful 22-yard effort go inches wide of the target.
The home side controlled the flow of play, but they just seemed unable to find the right pass in the final third to open up the Zanaco defence.
Still, regardless of not seeing much of the ball, the Bankers had the next attempt on goal in the 15th minute when Roger Kola broke into the box, but his low 16-yard shot shaved the wrong side of the post.
Ten minutes later, Nkana managed their second effort on goal when Duke Abuya met a corner-kick at the front post, but his volley from an acute angle ten-yards out struck the side-netting.
The Reds continued to push forward after that, but lacked the killer instinct in front of goal and went into the half time break locked at 0-0.
A minute after half-time, Nkana took the lead when Chrispine Mulenga cut inside the box to beat Toaster Nsabata at close range, 1-0.
Zanaco tried to get into the back of the game but were unable to do so as Nkana increased their attacks, with Kelvin Mubanga making a beautiful goal after winning the ball in the final third, bringing the score to 2-0.
The visitors were gifted a great chance to score two minutes later when Chitiya Mususu met a cross from Lassa Kiala, but the latter’s 16-yard shot came off his shin and went wide under no pressure.
Ten minutes later, Nkana wasted an open opportunity when Duncan Otieno got on the end of a free-kick into the Zanaco box, but goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata made a great point-blank save to deny his header.
Five minutes later, Mubanga came close again to scoring when his low 20-yard shot struck the woodwork.
In the 81st minute, Mubanga was in the thick of the action again as he rounded the keeper, but saw his shot cleared off the line by Owusu.
The icing on the cake was Nkana’s third goal after a quick one-two between Laison Thole and Idris Mbombo saw the latter through on goal and he made no mistake with a clinical finish, 3-0.
