Red Arrows beat Power Dynamos 2-1 to lift ABSA Cup

The Zambia Airforce sponsored side, Red Arrows Football Club have been crowned ABSA Cup champions for 2025/2026 season, following a 2-1 victory against Power Dynamos in a game played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Sunday.

The Airmen entered the final against a Power Dynamos side that had dominated the 2025/2026 league season and hoped to complete a historic double.

Red Arrows’ Albert Kangwanda broke the deadlock with a strike that silenced the Yellow Boys’ supporters in the 45th minute and sent Club supporters into wild celebration before the end of the first half.

Dynamos attempted to regroup after the break, but Arrows continued pressing. Eight minutes into the second half, Lazarus Chishimba delivered the killer punch in the 56th minute with a finish that buried Dynamos’ hopes of a comeback.

As the final whistle blew, Red Arrows players erupted in celebration after sealing their third ABSA Cup title and denying Dynamos a dream double.

Speaking after the victory, Zambia Air Force commander Lieutenant General Oscar Nyoni said his instructions to the players had been very simple and direct.

“I am extremely happy because the instructions to the players were very, very simple. I said guard room or win and so they’ve given us a win. It makes the whole Air Force proud, not only the Air Force but I think even the country is proud,” Nyoni said.

He jokingly said the entire team would have been languishing in the military guard room at his command had they lost the game to Power Dynamos. He revealed he had warned the team prior to the match that a loss would take them to the guard room.

Despite the scoreline being reported as 2-1, Nyoni credited two stunning goals from Kangwanda and Chishimba for the result. He later declared the Airmen the “true champions” of Zambian football after beating the league winners.

“But seeing what the game was like today, I think you all know that we are the true champions of Zambian football given that we have beaten the champions. And so we are the champions,” he said.

Kangwanda walked away with both the Top Scorer and Player of the Tournament awards after netting four goals, while goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga scooped the Golden Glove accolade for his outstanding performances.

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