Zambian forward Banda on target to inspire Djurgarden past Hacken in Sweden
The 24-year-old Chipolopolo scored his fourth goal of the season to help his side to the top of the table
Zambia’s national team player Emmanuel Banda scored to help Djurgarden win 2-1 against Hacken in an Allsvenskan match on Sunday.
Playing away at the Bravida Arena, Djurgarden fell behind in the 34th minute when Alexander Jeremejeff put Hacken ahead but the 24-year-old Chipolopolo equalized in the 49th minute before Elias Andersson assured them of maximum points in the 63rd: e minute.
Hacken looked the better side in the opening exchanges and they almost took the lead in the 11th minute when Oscar Olle Uddenas headed home a cross from Mikkel Rygaard Jensen but Djurgarden goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström pulled off a superb save.
Five minutes later, Djurgarden responded with a threat of their own when Victor Edvardsen raced down the right before delivering a cross that was met by Gustav Wikheim but the winger unleashed a weak effort that couldn’t trouble goalkeeper Peter Abrahamsson.
Hack then finally broke the deadlock and Jeremejeff stepped up to convert from the penalty spot, sending Zetterstrom the wrong way for a 1-0 half-time lead.
Four minutes after the restart, Banda restored parity for Djurgården after he drilled home from outside the 18-yard area.
Banda was then booked for a clumsy foul and with 27 minutes to go Djurgarden grabbed what proved to be the winner after Andersson’s effort eluded Abrahamsson to find the back of the net.
Banda has so far scored four goals in 14 matches, while last season he scored a total of eight Allsvenskan matches, scoring one goal and providing an assist.
The victory enabled Djurgarden to leapfrog Hacken to the top of the 16-team table with 33 points from 16 games. Hacken has 31 points in 15 games.
Djurgarden will next host Rijeka in the Europa Conference League second round qualifying second leg at the Tele2 Arena on Thursday. Djurgarden have the advantage going into the match as they won the first meeting 2-1 at Stadion HNK Rijeka.
They then travel to face Varnamo in the top division at the Finnvedsvallen IP on Sunday.
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