In a gripping encounter at the home ground of Real Madrinks on 17 May 2025, the hosts battled to a 2-2 draw against Kabangwe Legends in a league match that showcased both teams' attacking prowess and defensive frailties. The match kicked off at 12:00 pm, setting the stage for an exhilarating afternoon of football.
Real Madrinks lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to utilise their attacking talents while maintaining a solid defensive structure. Vincent Kidiaba took his place in goal, with Chris Sichinga and Zoheb Nadeem occupying the right and left defensive positions respectively. The central defensive pairing consisted of Isaac Bush and Isaac Chipwatanga, tasked with marshalling the backline. In midfield, Desmond Mngawa operated on the right, Nelson Phiri in the centre, and Yokonia Ngoma on the left, providing both support in attack and cover in defence. Up front, the trio of Nimrod Simuchimba, Brandon Imaata, and Mwenya Hudson were expected to lead the charge, with Imaata as the central striker flanked by Simuchimba and Hudson on the right and left.
The substitutes for Real Madrinks included Jordan B, Smart Kasongo, Micheal Mukuka, Uncle B, Nason Bwalya, Bwalya John Kachamba, and Leonard Banda, ready to make an impact from the bench as the match unfolded.
The first significant moment came in the 20th minute when Mwenya Hudson opened the scoring for Real Madrinks. Hudson received a long pass from Isaac Chipwatanga and, from outside the box, unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the net, sending the home fans into raptures.
However, the lead was short-lived as Kabangwe Legends equalised in the 39th minute. A well-placed effort from close range caught the Real Madrinks defence off guard, bringing the score to 1-1 just before half-time.
As the second half commenced, Real Madrinks made three substitutions at the break, introducing Jordan B for Chris Sichinga, Smart Kasongo for Brandon Imaata, and Micheal Mukuka for Nimrod Simuchimba, aiming to inject fresh energy into their performance.
The home side regained their lead in the 57th minute when Mwenya Hudson struck again, showcasing his clinical finishing ability. His second goal of the match put Real Madrinks ahead 2-1, and the momentum seemed to be firmly in their favour.
However, the match took another twist in the 71st minute when Kabangwe Legends capitalised on a defensive mistake from Real Madrinks, allowing them to equalise once more, making it 2-2. The tension in the stadium was palpable as both teams sought to secure a late winner.
In the 77th minute, Real Madrinks made a further change, bringing on Bwalya John Kachamba for the influential Mwenya Hudson, who had already made a significant impact with his two goals. Shortly after, in the 85th minute, Leonard Banda replaced Zoheb Nadeem, as Real Madrinks looked to solidify their midfield and defence in the closing stages.
Despite several attempts from both sides to find a decisive goal, the match ended in a stalemate, with both teams sharing the points. The draw leaves Real Madrinks and Kabangwe Legends with much to ponder as they continue their league campaigns, each team demonstrating moments of brilliance but also areas needing improvement.
