In a gripping league neutral match held at the Munis on 25 January 2025, Real Madrinks faced off against ZRA, with both teams ultimately settling for a 2-2 draw after a dramatic contest. The match kicked off at 12:00pm, and the excitement was palpable as both sides aimed to secure vital points in the league standings.
Real Madrinks lined up in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, which saw Vincent Kidiaba stationed in goal, providing a solid last line of defence. The back four comprised Smart Kasongo and Chris Sichinga as the right and left defenders respectively, while Jala Pensulo and Isaac Chipwatanga anchored the central defence. In midfield, Bwalya John Kachamba and Brandon Imaata operated on the right and left flanks, with Nelson Phiri and Desmond Mungawa occupying central roles, tasked with linking play and supporting the forwards. Up front, Micheal Mukuka and Nimrod Simuchimba were set to exploit any defensive lapses from ZRA, looking to convert chances into goals.
The substitutes for Real Madrinks included Mwenya Hudson, Nason Bwalya, Leonard Banda, and Slow Poison, providing depth and tactical options for the manager as the match progressed.
The opening goal arrived in the 18th minute, when Desmond Mungawa found the back of the net, expertly assisted by Smart Kasongo, who delivered a precise cross that Mungawa converted with aplomb. This early strike set the tone for Real Madrinks, who looked to build on their lead.
As the first half progressed, Real Madrinks continued to apply pressure, and in the 38th minute, Smart Kasongo himself got on the scoresheet, scoring from inside the box to double the advantage. The home side appeared to be in control, heading into the half-time break with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
The second half saw a tactical reshuffle for Real Madrinks, starting with the substitution of Bwalya John Kachamba for Mwenya Hudson at half-time. This change aimed to inject fresh energy into the midfield as the team sought to maintain their lead.
However, ZRA came out with renewed vigour after the break, and as the match wore on, Real Madrinks made further substitutions to adapt to the changing dynamics. In the 70th minute, Nason Bwalya replaced Jala Pensulo, followed by Leonard Banda coming on for Chris Sichinga in the 75th minute. Finally, in the 81st minute, Slow Poison was introduced in place of Isaac Chipwatanga, as Real Madrinks looked to shore up their defence.
Despite the changes, ZRA found their rhythm and struck back in the 83rd minute, scoring their first goal to reduce the deficit. The momentum shifted dramatically, and with Real Madrinks now under pressure, ZRA equalised in stoppage time, netting their second goal in the 91st minute to complete a remarkable comeback.
The match concluded with both teams sharing the spoils, leaving Real Madrinks to reflect on a match that slipped from their grasp despite a promising start. Jala Pensulo was recognised for his standout performance, earning the accolade of Player of the Match, but the team will undoubtedly be left pondering what could have been as they prepare for their next fixture.
