By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Red Arrows made history yesterday in Tanzania when they as the guest team won the 2024 CECAFA Club Cup title when they beat APR of Rwanda 10-9 on post match penalties after a 1-1 full-time result in Dar es Salaam.
Arrows who are the first Zambian club to reach the CECAFA Club Cup final now extended that milestone in winning the East African regional club competition in the 50 year’s of the country’s clubs participation in the tournament.
Arrows and APR went into halftime scoreless in what was an evenly contested first half.
It was the Zambian champions who wasted the best opportunity when they won a penalty in the 7th minute through Anthony Shipanuka.
However, Ciel Ebengo’s spotkick was saved by APR goalkeeper Chikwuemeka Mbaoma.
APR then grew into the match in the final quarter of the first half exploiting the left flank manned by Brian Chilimina.
The deadlock was broken in the 62nd minute through Arrows’ striker Ricky Banda who was making his first start at the CECAFA Club Cup after he was rested for the earlier games due to technical reasons.
Then in the 71st minute, the woodwork conspired against Arrows when Michee Malonga saw his effort hit the post but the drama swiftly continued when the ball was cleared before it crossed the line.
But there was late drama when Mamadou Sy equalised deep into the final phase of the five minutes of extra time.
Not even the 30 minutes of extra time could separate Arrows and APR and it took a marathon shootout to ensure the trophy was coming to Lusaka.
