Masanyinga’s Last-Gasp Penalty Seals League Title for Power Dynamos

Power Dynamos were crowned MTN Super League champions on Saturday after a dramatic 98th-minute penalty from Brian Masanyinga secured a 1-0 victory over Green Eagles, clinching their eighth league title with a game to spare.

The defending champions appeared set to take the title race to the final day, but Masanyinga kept his composure from the spot in stoppage time, sending the Dynamos faithful into wild celebrations at the final whistle. The result lifts Dynamos to 67 points from 33 matches, seven ahead of second-placed ZESCO United, who play on Sunday and can no longer catch them.

Despite missing out on the title, ZESCO United have at least secured a return to continental football, confirming their place in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup. That was sealed after Nkana FC suffered a 5-2 thrashing at the hands of FC MUZA. Nkana had led 2-1 through goals from Lazarous Kambole and Idriss Mbombo, but MUZA stormed back with braces from Andrew Phiri and Rickson Ng’ambi, plus a goal from Given Kalusa.

Elsewhere, relegation battles took center stage as Lumwana Radiants became the first confirmed side to drop to the National Division One following a 2-0 home defeat to NAPSA Stars. Goals from Mathew Tolopa and Evans Kayombo Jr sealed their fate.

Forest Rangers find themselves three points adrift of safety after losing 1-0 to Red Arrows, with Noris Mubanga Kalamba netting the winner. Meanwhile, Atletico Lusaka boosted their survival hopes with a 2-0 victory over already-relegated Indeni thanks to goals from Benjamin Chisala and Thomas Chisi. They now sit two points above the relegation zone.

Zanaco are also two points clear after a 2-0 home win against Mufulira Wanderers, with Chawanangwa Kaonga scoring twice in the first half.

In the day’s other match, Green Buffaloes and Nchanga Rangers played to a goalless draw.