NAPSA HOLDS ZESCO AS KAFULI STEALS THE SHOW

Eight times super League champions ZESCO United were yesterday held to a 1-all draw by Zambia’s envoy in the CAF Confederation cup, Napsa stars in a week one fixture played at Lusaka’s MTN Woodlands stadium.

This was a mouth-watering fixture for both sides with Napsa Stars attempting to replicate last season’s five-star performance that saw them defeat ZESCO United 2-1.

For ZESCO United, this was an opportunity to inflict damage on a team that contributed to their failure to defend the league title and missing out on CAF.

Mumamba unleashed a changed ZESCO United side comprising of youth graduate, Samuel Sikaonga. New signings, Kelvin Kampamba and Bruce Musakanya started while Logic Ching’andu started ahead of his brother John Ching’andu.

Adrian Chama, Clement Mwape, Simone Silwimba and Mwila Phiri marshalled the backline while veteran striker Winstone Kalengo not only led the frontline but also captained the side supported by Kenyan international striker Jesse Were.

It was very clear from the first whistle that this was going to be a David versus Goliath affair. ZESCO United led the charge like a wounded buffalo with both Musakanya and Kampamba stretching the pensioners in the wings.

Logic Ching’andu danced and floated like a bee in the middle of the park while Samuel Sikaonga showed that he is a baby born with teeth.

The young defensive midfielder fought for every ball; charged after his opponents when dispossessed and wrestled for the ball when the going got tough.

Mumamba declared his intentions to give young players an opportunity to shine. Yesterday, was a vivid testament of his ethos.

The first chance of the game came in the 3’ minute when Logic and Kalengo combined only for the former’s shot to come off Napsa Stars side netting.

Napsa Stars quickly responded in the 4’ minute with Bornwell Mwapes well-crafted free kick going inches over the bar.

ZESCO United came back again in the 9’ minute with Adrian Chama missing a glorious chance only to see his header go over the bar.

The former champions piled pressure on Napsa who looked unsettled throughout the first half. ZESCO United were awarded a free kick after Kampamba was judged to have been fouled just a few yards from the Napsa stars penalty box.

Kampamba delivered his trademark dead ball inside the Napsa penalty box which was perfectly met by a determined Clement Mwape who dispatched a powerful header beating Shaaban Ouma Odhiji to give ZESCO United a deserved lead.

ZESCO United piled pressure on Napsa with both Musakanya and Logic providing support to Kalengo.

In the 40’ ZESCO United showed why they are a powerhouse of the Zambian game. Logic put Were through after a quick interchange of passes with Kalengo with the former delivering a second for ZESCO United.

Disappointingly, FAZ referee Derrick Kafuli overruled the decision for an offside. This was the first of a series of questionable decisions that Kafuli and company were going to make.

In the 45’ minute Were missed a glorious chance to double the lead for ZESCO United. His weak short on target after Logic unselfishly put him through was comfortably saved by Odhoji.

ZESCO United started the second half in the same way they ended the first half, pining the pensioners in their backyard.

In the 50’ Mwila Phiri received a brilliant pass from Kampamba who was having a field day dribbling and passing with ease. Phiri powered through an exquisite cross which was met by a tightly marked Kalengo.

Kalengo coolly slotted in ZESCO United’s second however, his celebrations were cut short after Kafuli yet again disallowed the goal for an offside.

This decision left a sizeable number of football officials who had trooped into woodlands stadium in disbelief.

ZESCO United pressed forward to look for a second goal unfortunately their efforts proved futile. Kampamba and Musakanya came close on three or four occasions unfortunately they could not find the back of the net.

By the 80’ minute, tempers began to flare-up largely from ZESCO United’s players following some dubious officiating from Kafuli.

ZESCO United held on to the lead until the 98’ minute. Napsa Stars were awarded a free kick which ZESCO United failed to defend giving Laudit Mavugo an opportunity to sneak in an equaliser through an overhead kick.

Kafuli’s decision to add four more minutes after 94’ minutes of the game had already been played infuriated ZESCO United players and officials.

ZESCO United will this Wednesday face Forest Rangers in the famous Ndola derby.

Author: Desmond Katongo