30/08/2026
AIRMEN WIN IN NEW KIT MOMENTS AFTER UNVEIL
Red Arrows Football Club came from a goal down Saturday, 29 August 2026, to secure a hard-fought 2 - 1 victory over AS Simba of the Democratic Republic of Congo in an entertaining international friendly played as part of the club’s 2026/27 kit launch celebrations and welcoming of new signings at Nkoloma Stadium.
The visitors made the brighter start and came close to breaking the deadlock early on, with Red Arrows goalkeeper and defence forced to remain alert.
Lazarous Chishimba had the first notable opportunity for Arrows in the second minute but his effort sailed over the target.
AS Simba continued to threaten and in the seventh minute Brian Chilimina produced a crucial goal line clearance to deny the visitors an opener.
However, Simba eventually found the breakthrough in the ninth minute after a well worked passing move carved open the Arrows defence and allowed the Congolese side to take a 1 - 0 lead.
Red Arrows responded positively and quickly shifted through the gears. Their pressure was rewarded in the 14th minute when Michee Malonga made contact to meet a cross and nodded the ball beyond the goalkeeper to restore parity.
The equaliser sparked a dominant spell from the Airmen, who began to apply sustained pressure on the visitors. Ackim Mumba came close from a well struck freekick in the 17th minute, forcing an excellent save from the Simba goalkeeper.
Two minutes later, Paul Katema narrowly missed with a grazing header after connecting with a dangerous delivery, before Eliya Mandanji also went close with a header that flew over the crossbar.
Red Arrows continued to press for a second, with Simba increasingly pinned back. Katema came agonisingly close again before the break, only for a defender to make a timely clearance off the line.
The sides went into the interval level at 1-1, for Drifta Trek to take to the pitch a d entertain the fans who sung along.
Red Arrows made a series of changes at the start of the second half, introducing John Pweto, Saddam Phiri, Owen Mwamba and Angel Lubamba for Cedrick Onyumbe, Ackim Mumba, Lazarous Chishimba and Eliya Mandanji.
Munda Phiri was also introduced for Godfrey Ngwenya as the technical bench sought to maintain the intensity.
The changes injected fresh energy into the Arrows attack and the Airmen continued to look the more threatening side.
Malonga came close to adding his second with another well directed header but Simba remained resilient.
Red Arrows' persistence finally paid off in the 62nd minute, when Saddam Yusuf Phiri found the decisive finish to put the Airmen 2 - 1 ahead.
Simba attempted to fight their way back into the contest but Red Arrows managed the closing stages with composure and protected their advantage until the final whistle.
The victory provided a fitting conclusion to Red Arrows' kit launch celebrations and a winning welcome to the new signings, having demonstrated character and attacking intent to come from behind and claim victory against their Congolese opponents.
Meanwhile, the Airmen put their new colours to the ultimate test and showcased the 2026/27 home and alternative kits in style.
The red home strip took centre stage in the first half and drew plenty of excitement from the fans, before the Airmen switched into the striking white alternative kit after the break.
And what better way to unveil the new colours than with a 2-1 victory over AS Simba?
Red Arrows have officially welcomed the new kit with a win, a statement of intent as the Airmen set their sights on a stronger, more successful season ahead.
With this victory in the International friendly, the Airmen are now ready to face Rouge of Madagascar this Saturday in Ndola in the first leg of the Caf confederation cup at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
29/08/2026