ZESCO UNITED HALT INDENI’S SURGE

Logic Ching’andu scored a crucial spectacular free kick in the 90’ minute leading to a Kamikaze response from Indeni players, who until then had given the former champions an excellent run for their money.

Yesterday, ZESCO United beat Indeni 3-2 in a thrilling FAZ/MTN Super League week 10 encounter held at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium.

Having last played in the Super League some six years ago, Indeni have been the biggest surprise package of the 2020/2021 league campaign following their outstanding performances against Power Dynamos and Nkana Football club, whom they beat 1-0 and 2-0 respectively.

ZESCO United were the next giant that many ardent soccer followers anxiously waited to see collapse at the hands of the Oil Men.

Numba Mumamba started with Winstone Kalengo, Enock Sakala supported by Bruce Musakanya upfront while the midfield was marshalled by John Ching’andu, Mwape Mwelwa and Donashano Malama.

In defense, David Odhiambo, Adrian Chama, Clement Mwape, and Fackson Kampumbu.

On any day, ZESCO United versus Indeni is supposed to be a walk in the park for the eight times league champions.

However, like the Americans learnt at Pearl harbour in 1941, and like the Japanese imperial army, Indeni were not going to be swept aside easily.

From the first whistle, Indeni lived up to their reputation of being giant killers. As early as the 2’ minute, the visitors charged forward with Graven Chitalu leading the front line with Tranquilin Mwepu.

The hosts responded with verve pining the visitors in their area for the first 10’minutes with veteran striker Winstone Kalengo leading the attack.

With Fackson Kapumbu constantly pacing the left flank, it was just a matter of time before the visitors unbuckled.

Kalengo came close to scoring after a superb pass from Kapumbu, unfortunately for the former, his header came off the cross bar.

Sensing danger of conceding, Indeni players responded in style with Edwin Chipile and Clement Mubanga stretching the game in the wings.

Chitalu came close in the 17’ minute with a powerful header that went over the bar. In the 20’ minute ZESCO United’s John Ching’andu responded with a spectacular bicycle kick that went inches wide.

In the 26’ minute, Mwepu came close with a powerful shot that was easily saved by Otieno.

At this stage of the game, it was very clear that it was going to be a long interesting 90 minutes for both sets of players.

In the 30’ minute Kalengo powered through the Indeni defense before unleashing a powerful shot that was saved by Charles Lawu.

Indeni’s Lackson Chewe caused a lot of commotion in the middle of the park but it was John Chinga’ndu who was going to have the last say when he scored the only goal of the half with only a minute to spare.

Mwape Mwelwa’s beautiful cross from the left flank was perfectly directed into the Indeni goalmouth by Chinga’ndu to put the hosts ahead.

ZESCO United’s lead only lasted 15 minutes of the break. The second half begun at a blistering pace with Indeni chasing for an equaliser.

A counter attack from Indeni caught ZESCO United defenders napping leading to Tranquilin Mwepu’s equaliser.

Wounded by the equaliser, ZESCO United responded with Bruce Musakanya who was constantly making numerous slalom runs that were devastating for Indeni defenders.

In the 59’ minute Kalengo unlocked a powerful shot which was parried by Lawu unfortunately for the Indeni goalkeeper, the ball bounced off Moses Soko for an own goal.

The next 30’minutes of the game was heart stopping not only for the players but for the thousands of fans who had trooped into the Levy Mwanawasa stadium.

In the 80’ minute super substitute, Djunese Kanda scored a crucial equaliser for Indeni to the excitement of the visiting fans.

The equaliser propelled Indeni’s players who at that point were looking at another possible upset. The David versus Goliath story recapped.

ZESCO United continued to surge forward with hopes of getting a winning goal. In the 90’ Winstone Kalengo was brought down outside the Indeni penalty box.

This was typical Kelvin Kampamba’s territory. Unfortunately for ZESCO United the attacking midfielder is out with an injury.

Logic Chinga’andu become a household name in Ndola for his impressive free-kicks. This was the moment for the midfielder.

Ching’andu’s perfectly executed free-kick beat Lawu at the far post leaving the Indeni shot stopper in awe.

Like the imperial Japanese Navy Air Service facing imminent defeat to the mighty American army during the second World War, Indeni adopted the Japanese Kamikaze strategy by throwing in the kitchen sink at the last minute of the game.

In the 92’ Indeni surged forward with purpose and verve pining the ZESCO United defense in what looked like a potential equaliser with ZESCO United’s defender Donashano Malama injuring himself for his troubles.

At the final whistle, it was clear to everyone in the stadium that ZESCO United versus Indeni has perhaps been the most entertaining fixture thus far.

Victory against Indeni takes ZESCO United to the top of the log table with 18 points followed by Zanaco and Buildcon who both share 15points.

Author Desmond Katongo