Chico Stars Fall To Groen Wald In Hard-Fought Encounter

In a closely contested league match held at the Chipangali Stadium in Eastern Province, Zambia, ChiCo Stars Football Club faced off against Groen Wald on 23 March 2025. The match kicked off at 3:00pm, and despite a spirited performance, ChiCo Stars succumbed to a late goal, ending the match with a scoreline of 1-0 in favour of their opponents.

ChiCo Stars lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for attacking flair. Patrick Phiri took his place between the sticks, shielded by a back four comprising Bright Weza on the right, Demmy Chongo and Patience Phiri in central defence, and Moses Ngoma on the left. The midfield trio featured Juston Jere on the right, Gideon Phiri centrally, and Kasambeni Alick on the left, tasked with linking play and supporting the forwards. Up front, Ngoma Alick operated on the right wing, Godfrey Ngoma led the line as the central striker, and Charles Ngoma occupied the left forward position, all expected to create scoring opportunities.

The match began with both teams probing for weaknesses, but it was ChiCo Stars who suffered an early setback when Ngoma Alick had to be substituted due to injury in the 25th minute, making way for Ford Tembo. This forced a tactical adjustment, but ChiCo Stars remained resolute in their defensive duties.

As the first half progressed, both sides struggled to find the back of the net, with the midfield battle becoming increasingly intense. The referee, Zulu, kept a close eye on proceedings, ensuring that the match remained competitive without descending into chaos. The half concluded with no goals, and both teams headed into the break with the scoreline still at 0-0.

The second half saw ChiCo Stars come out with renewed energy, pushing forward in search of an opening goal. However, Groen Wald's defence held firm, thwarting several attempts from the ChiCo forwards. As the match wore on, it became evident that the game could swing either way.

In the 83rd minute, Groen Wald broke the deadlock with a well-timed goal, sending their supporters into raptures. The ChiCo Stars defence, which had been solid for most of the match, was caught off guard, allowing the opponents to capitalise on a moment of hesitation. Despite the late setback, ChiCo Stars rallied in the closing minutes, pushing for an equaliser, but Groen Wald's defence remained resolute.

As the final whistle blew, ChiCo Stars were left to reflect on a match that could have gone differently had they converted their chances. The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, but the team showed resilience and determination throughout the encounter. With the league campaign still ongoing, ChiCo Stars will be looking to bounce back in their next fixture, aiming to turn their fortunes around.