ChiCo Stars Football Club welcomed Start Mfuwe F.C to the Chibaya Cha Nsingo on 30 November 2024 for a highly anticipated league encounter. The match, which kicked off at 3:00pm, ended with ChiCo Stars securing a convincing 3-1 victory, showcasing their attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation.
ChiCo Stars set up in a 4-1-3-2 formation, designed to provide a strong defensive base while allowing for fluid attacking transitions. Penyani Chisi occupied the goalkeeping position, shielded by a back four consisting of Duncan Mbewe on the right, Bright Weza and Demmy Chongo as central defenders, and Moses Ngoma on the left. Gift Phiri played a pivotal role as the central midfielder, tasked with linking defence and attack. Ahead of him, the trio of Kasambeni Alick, Gideon Phiri, and Nickson Kaluba operated as attacking midfielders, with Dennis Jere and Ford Tembo leading the line as forwards.
The substitutes for ChiCo Stars included Joseph Mbewe and Golph Banda, who were poised to make an impact from the bench if called upon.
The match began with both teams probing for an early advantage, but it was ChiCo Stars who struck first. In the 30th minute, Dennis Jere found the back of the net, converting a close-range effort with his left foot after receiving a precise short pass from Ford Tembo. This goal injected confidence into ChiCo Stars, who continued to dominate possession and create chances.
As the teams headed into half-time, ChiCo Stars held a 1-0 lead, with the momentum firmly in their favour. The second half commenced with ChiCo Stars looking to extend their advantage, and they did so just five minutes after the restart. Dennis Jere scored again, this time finishing from inside the box with another left-footed strike, this time assisted by a long pass from Kasambeni Alick in the 50th minute.
However, the match took a turn in the 52nd minute when Duncan Mbewe received a yellow card for a bad tackle, a moment that could have shifted the momentum. Despite this setback, ChiCo Stars maintained their composure and continued to press forward.
In the 63rd minute, Start Mfuwe F.C were awarded a penalty, which they converted to pull one back, bringing the score to 2-1. This goal sparked a renewed sense of urgency from the visitors, but ChiCo Stars responded with resilience.
The home side regained their two-goal cushion in the 70th minute when Kasambeni Alick scored a header from close range, assisted by a corner taken by Joseph Mbewe. This goal effectively sealed the game for ChiCo Stars, who were now leading 3-1.
In the 73rd minute, Golph Banda came on for Kasambeni Alick as ChiCo Stars looked to solidify their lead. However, the match took another twist in the 80th minute when Golph Banda received a yellow card for unsporting behaviour, a moment that briefly disrupted ChiCo Stars' rhythm.
As the final whistle approached, ChiCo Stars remained resolute, and the referee, A.K, brought the match to a close with the scoreline reflecting a well-deserved victory for the home side. The standout performers of the match were undoubtedly Gideon Phiri and Dennis Jere, whose contributions were instrumental in securing the three points for ChiCo Stars.
