Lusaka claimed their first Milk Cup Premier Section win after they beat Partick Thistle 3-1 at Rugby Avenue.
The Zambian side nearly missed the tournament due to a visa mix-up and had to sleep on the floor of a Copenhagen airport. This seemed to take its toll as they suffered two straight defeats, but they managed to come from a goal behind this evening to seal three points.
Thistle came flying out the blocks from the first whistle and caught Lusaka off-guard when Dylan Monaghan latched onto a long-ball and slipped in Stokes who cut inside and whipped the ball beyond a flailing Ramsey Makosa.
They nearly doubled their lead after a short free-kick fell to Mark Lamont who watched his effort from distance tipped onto the post and out for a corner by Makosa.
Lusaka probed relentlessly at Thistle’s defence and finally made the breakthrough courtesy of a fantastic touch from Jere which beat his man and set-up a one-on-one with Bell, the striker slotted past him with ease to send the team’s level at half-time.
It was then Lusaka who started brightly in the second half. Winger Kwalela Kwalela showed great pace and skill to beat his man on the right flank and delivered a perfect low-cross which was tapped in by Nsunzu.
Trailing for the first time, Thistle tried to get back into the game but couldn’t create any clear-cut chances. Lusaka took advantage by increasing the deficit when the ball found its way to Musakanya who was lurking outside the box from a corner, he smashed the ball first-time and it rifled into the bottom corner.
Lusaka saw out the remainder of the game to collect all the points which made all of their difficulties in getting to the tournament worthwhile.
Nathan Webb