The 2023-24 season is underway in Zambian football after Forest Rangers defeated Power Dynamos to capture the Charity Shield on Saturday, winning 3-1 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. After trading goals in the first half, goals from Gerald Simusokwe and Lazarus Chishimba confirmed victory for the 2023 ABSA Cup winners who triumphed over the reigning Zambia Super League champions.
It was a positive start for Dynamos who took the initiative through new signing Andy Boyeli, top scorer in last season’s Super League as a member of relegated Chambishi FC. After nearly finding the net inside ten minutes with a powerful strike the Congolese was on hand to steer into the goal following a 14th minute corner kick.
The response was fierce from Rangers who equalized before the half hour mark through Libamba Moyela from a Quadri Kola cross. Two goals in the final minutes of the first half confirmed a two-goal lead for Forest Rangers with Simusokwe heading in a corner kick to put his side into the lead in the 40th minute.
A defensive meltdown led to Rangers’ third just before the break when Chishimba followed up to fire in a rebound after a long range effort was spilled into his path. A late push from Dynamos failed to find a way past Rangers goalkeeper Allan Chibwe and the ABSA Cup champions prevailed.
Highlights of the Charity Shield are below.
