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Emmanuel Mayuka came off the bench on Sunday to convert a dramatic last minute penalty to send Napsa Stars to a historical debut CAF Confederation Cup qualification at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Napsa rallied from 2-1 down at home to finish 2-2 against Gor Mahia of Kenya to qualify 3-2 on aggregate to next month’s group stage after the first leg 1-0 away in Nairobi on February 14.
But it was Gor Mahia hit the ground running after flying in from Nairobi just three hours before kickoff and made a statement in a four-minute goal fest after the first quarter.
After a short period with Napsa Stars, Odhiambo – who had joined from Tusker before the season began – returned and signed for Sofapaka in February.
Odhoji, in an earlier interview, had warned his teammates not to underrate K’Ogalo by looking at the previous games. Gor Mahia have been struggling in their last few games, but we should not rely on that when playing against them, Odhioji said. For my teammates, we have to fight as we have been doing in past Caf competitions. Napsa are a strong team, and I am optimistic of getting a positive outcome away. Gor Mahia have been regulars in Caf and they have that experience. But in modern football, there is nothing like a powerhouse or big team. As Napsa Stars, I think with adequate preparations we will do something and advance to the group stage.
Nkana have been eliminated from the CAF Champions League while 2012 AFCON hero Emmanuel Mayuka has kept Napsa Stars league stage dreams alive after guiding them to the CAF Confederation Cup pre-group stage in Wednesday’s final day of second round continental action.
In Luanda, Angola, Nkana lost 1-0 away to Petro Atletico thanks to an 83rd minute goal by Tony.
Nkana bow out 2-1 on aggregate after drawing 1-1 in the first leg played last Christmas in Kitwe.
However, Nkana have been handed a second chance following their relegation to the CAF Confederation Cup where they will know their opponents in the pre-group stage when the draws are made on January 8.
After a seamless ride in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary stage, Napsa Stars prepare for a big second round test on Tuesday when they host UD Songo of Mozambique at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Napsa breezed through the first round with 5-1 away and 4-1 home win’s over Ngazi of Comoros.
But that form is a total contrast to Napsa’s overall league form where they have just one win from seven games with four draws.
“I think in the league we are not performing as expected but as a team, we will try and sort our ourselves out but I can assure you that going forward, we will make sure Napsa will be where they are is supposed to be,” Napsa captain Dickson Chapa said.