In a pulsating league match held at Chipangali in Eastern Province, Zambia, ChiCo Stars Football Club edged out Chabwela F.C with a final score of 6-4 on 15 March 2025. The match kicked off at 3:00 pm and showcased a remarkable display of attacking football from both sides, culminating in a thrilling spectacle for the 300 fans in attendance.
ChiCo Stars lined up in a 4-1-3-2 formation, designed to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair. Patrick Phiri took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Bright Weza on the right, Gift Phiri and Patience Phiri in central defence, and Moses Ngoma on the left. Gideon Phiri operated as a defensive midfielder, providing cover for the defence while also linking play. Ahead of him, Juston Jere and Nickson Kaluba occupied the right and left attacking midfield roles respectively, with Alvack Weza in a central attacking midfield position. Up front, Godfrey Ngoma and Ford Tembo formed a dynamic forward partnership, expected to exploit any defensive lapses from the opposition.
The substitutes for ChiCo Stars included Demmy Chongo, Kasambeni Alick, Charles Ngoma, and Ngoma Alick, who would be called upon to make an impact as the match progressed.
The match exploded into life just seconds after the whistle, with Godfrey Ngoma opening the scoring for ChiCo Stars in the first minute. He unleashed a stunning solo effort from outside the box, striking the ball with his right foot to give his team an early lead. However, the joy was short-lived as Chabwela F.C responded immediately, capitalising on a defensive mistake to level the score just a minute later.
As the game settled, ChiCo Stars regained their composure, and in the 25th minute, Ford Tembo restored their lead. He scored with a long-range strike, expertly assisted by Nickson Kaluba, who delivered a precise header to set him up. Yet again, Chabwela F.C proved resilient, equalising in the 30th minute with a header from close range, before taking the lead for the first time in the 36th minute with a goal from outside the area.
With the score at 3-2 in favour of Chabwela F.C at half-time, ChiCo Stars made tactical changes, bringing on Demmy Chongo for Alvack Weza and Kasambeni Alick for Juston Jere as they sought to regain control of the match.
The second half began with renewed intensity, and in the 61st minute, Ford Tembo struck again, scoring a magnificent long-range goal with the help of a long pass from Gift Phiri. Just six minutes later, Tembo was on target once more, converting a penalty to put ChiCo Stars ahead 4-3, following a foul in the box.
As the match progressed, Charles Ngoma entered the fray, replacing Gift Phiri in the 65th minute. His impact was immediate, as he scored in the 72nd minute, finishing a well-placed short pass from Ngoma Alick to extend ChiCo Stars' lead to 5-3.
Chabwela F.C refused to back down, scoring again in the 75th minute to narrow the deficit to 5-4, setting up a tense finale. However, ChiCo Stars sealed the victory in the 80th minute when Nickson Kaluba found the net, assisted by Ngoma Alick with a clever flick, making it 6-4.
The match concluded with ChiCo Stars celebrating a hard-fought victory, showcasing their attacking prowess and resilience in a thrilling encounter that will be remembered by fans for its excitement and drama. Ford Tembo's standout performance, including two goals and an assist, earned him the accolade of Player of the Match, highlighting his crucial role in securing the win for his team.
