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Real Madrid cruised into the Champions League semifinals with a 2-0 win against Chelsea on Tuesday that wrapped up an emphatic 4-0 aggregate triumph, effectively ending the struggling London club’s season.

The home team, with Frank Lampard back in the dugout for a second spell, came into the match at Stamford Bridge with form and history against them.

They started brightly, playing enterprising football, but rued two huge missed chances in the first half that would have heaped pressure on the defending champions.

The Spanish giants made Chelsea pay for their profligacy when Rodrygo scored in the 58th minute and he doubled his tally with 10 minutes to go.

Chelsea, the 2021 European champions, have now lost all four of their matches since Lampard returned to the club as caretaker boss earlier this month in place of the sacked Graham Potter.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti stuck with the same team that won the first leg 2-0 last week while Lampard restored Reece James, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante to his line-up.

Roared on by an expectant crowd despite their current woes, the home side made a bright start against the 14-time winners.

They had a glorious chance to take the lead but Kante skewed his left-foot shot wide from about 12 yards.

The visitors, content to bide their time, looked sharp on the break.

Midway through the opening period, Rodrygo created space for himself and thumped an effort against the outside of the post from an acute angle, though goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga may have had it covered.

Luka Modric tested Kepa with a shot from an angle and five minutes before halftime Vinicius Junior skewed a shot wide from close range after a cross from the Croatia midfielder. 

Meanwhile, AC Milan reached the semifinals of the Champions League on Tuesday after Olivier Giroud struck the crucial goal in a 1-1 draw at Napoli which completed a 2-1 aggregate victory over their fellow Italians.

Giroud tapped in what turned out to be the decisive goal two minutes before the break after a blistering run from Rafael Leao, who was once again key as Milan beat Napoli for the third time this month.

The France striker’s 13th goal of the season saved his blushes after he missed a penalty midway through the first half.

Napoli are on the verge of their first league title since 1990, but after being placed on the easier side of the draw Tuesday’s exit was an underwhelming end to their European adventure. – AFP.

By LUCY PHIRI

FORMER Lusaka High court Judge Joshua Banda yesterday refused to take plea in the Lusaka magistrate court in a matter is charged with two counts of corrupt Transactions contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

Banda through his lawyer James Mataliro told Lusaka magistrate Idah Phiri that he could not take plea because the counts he is charged with are multiplicity and needed to be amended.

Mr. Mataliro in his application said his client was going to be subjected to unfair trial if he was to take plea without the indictment being amended.

“The charge is embarrassing and the indictment is bad for duplicity.You cannot charge several offences in one count,two counts indicates the same offense, same facts in the statement of offense. The charge should be one, “ he said.

However, state prosecutor Virginia Tembo objected to the defence application saying separating of the counts will be fair for the accused person and it will not occasion to injustice.

Ms. Tembo submitted that the accused person should take plea because the counts are not embarrassing and the indictment is not bad to duplicity.

In this case, Banda is facing two counts of Corrupt Transactions contrary to Section 20(1) as read with Section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.

It is alleged in count one that Banda on a date unknown but between July 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020 in Lusaka did corruptly solicit for K130, 000. 00 gratification from David Mwanza the Under-Sherriff in the Judiciary as an inducement in order to assist the said David Mwanza have CS CamScanner a favorable decision in a tribunal relating to the collection of K8, 000, 000.00 from Mopani Copper Mines, a private body.

In count two, it is alleged that Banda on a date unknown but between July 1, 2020 and 31July 31, 2020 in Lusaka did receive K63,000. 00 gratification from David Mwanza the Under- Sherriff as an inducement in order to assist the said David Mwanza have a favorable decision in a tribunal relating to the collection of K8, 000, 000, 00 from Mopani Copper Mines, a private body.

Magistrate Phiri has since set May 4, 2023 for ruling.

A civic leader in Serenje has called on the corporate world to support women’s football leagues around the country.

Kuwait Women’s Football Club founder Douglas Sigauke who is Mbaswa ward councillor said the development of women’s football is heading in the right direction.

He said just like men’s football, the corporate world should come on board and support women’s football.

Sigauke, who also sponsors a men’s football club called for talent identification in remote areas for both men’s and women national teams. 

He explained that the team was formed on January 1, 2023 after the ladies around his ward were inspired by the impressive performance of the women’s national team.

Sigauke however disclosed that the club was facing some challenges, such as lack of transport for away games.

 THREE Directors , the chairperson and treasurer of Kamono Farm Initiative Limited have been arrested and charged with fraud and money laundering amounting to more than K130 million. Those charged by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) are Fanwell Zulu, Enock Chibutu, Maxwell Masempela, Mirriam Soko and Matimba Chongo. DEC Public Relations Officer Hussein Khan said […]

 THREE people have been arrested for forging and uttering a health appointment letter. Samson Phiri is alleged to have forged an appointment letter as a general worker with the help of two other suspects aged between 27 and 33. Police deputy spokesperson Danny Mwale said three people have been arrested for the offence of Forgery […]

By NATION  REPORTER 

State House and the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) have differed over the blocking of former President Edgar Lungu to travel to the Copperbelt for the funeral of the father to former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji.

BY MICHAEL MIYOBA

BAULENI United Sports Academy (BUSA) has apologised for the chaos which erupted during a Week 31 FAZ Women’s Super League match between BUSA and Green Eagles Football Club.

On Tuesday, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) suspended BUSA general secretary Fred Kangwa and three female players for the alleged violent behaviour exhibited during the match played at Crested Crane Academy.

Acting FAZ general secretary Iva Lengwe confirmed the development in a statement issued by FAZ communications manager Sydney Mungala.

Kangwa and the three players identified as Gertrude Afumba, Sheila Namuzungu and Grace Phiri are alleged to have attacked match officials in the aftermath of Green Eagles’ 2-1 victory over BUSA at Crested Crane Academy.

Kangwa and the three players are said to have breached Article 49 (1) (2) of the FAZ Disciplinary Code of 2021 that covers conduct against match officials during and after a football match.

Lengwe said the four suspended officials will not be allowed to participate in any football related activities until the disciplinary process has been exhausted in respect of article 53 (4) of the Disciplinary Code. 

“The accused have until Friday (21.04.23) 14:00 hours to write exculpatory letters upon which the matter shall be forwarded to the relevant judicial bodies,” Lengwe said.

However, Kangwa who denied taking part in the fracas said he was nowhere near the violence that was triggered by poor officiating and bad language by the referee.

Kangwa said the referee accused the BUSA goal keeper, Getrude Afumba of being pregnant that’s why she conceded the two goals.

He said Green Eagles were not factual in their report as the words by the referee angered the goal keeper who retaliated by kicking the referee.

“When the game finished our goal, keeper went to confront the ref who told her that she was pregnant that’s why she was scored, that’s when our goal keeper kicked the ref and when that happened I rushed to separate them not to take part in the fight,” Kangwa said.

“As I was talking to our player because we also don’t condone what she did despite having been provoked, the supporters went into the ground to attack the ref. By then I wasn’t even anywhere close to the scene. I was even surprised that Green Eagles said that I beat up their media officer,” Kangwa said. 

“We accept that our goal keeper kicked a referee and we apologies for that but for me and the other players mentioned we were nowhere near any violence. And for us we told the player that if FAZ will not act, the club will take action because we don’t tolerate that behaviour,” he said.

Kangwa also noted that the fans who attacked the referee are not BUSA fans because their fans didn’t travel.

By GRACE CHAILE

High Court Judge Charles Kafunda has ruled that James Bwalya, one of the alleged abductors of 13 women in Lusaka, is mentally fit to stand trial as his antisocial personality disorder is not a mental illness.

Brian Mundubile fears that today’s local government by-elections in Serenje, Chililabombwe and Lupososhi will not be free and fair because of UPND has been using violence as a campaign strategy which has resulted into clashes leading to injuries for many of the opposition parties’ members.