ZESCO United Football Club Team Ya Ziko
ZESCO United yesterday beat Nkwazi Football club 1-2 in a thrilling FAZ/MTN Super league week 28 game played at Sunset Stadium to set a club record of 10 consecutive league wins.
Last season the former league champions won 9 consecutive league matches before drawing their tenth game of the season under the tutelage of former coach, George Lwandamina.
Yesterday, coach Numba Mumamba’s men cantered away with a crucial away victory against the Police Service sponsored side that has not lost at home to ZESCO United since November 2010.
This victory means that ZESCO United have 55 points from 25 games whilst second placed Zanaco have 46 points from 26 games.
ZESCO United have been irritatingly ruthless especially to their title contenders who have for the last three months helplessly watched the league leaders obliterate their opponents with surgical beauty.
Yesterday’s performance was another show of force and authority from the Ndola based league giants who have almost forgotten how it feels to draw or lose in the league.
If ZESCO United have been ruthless at destroying their opponents, then Kelvin Kampamba has been one of the biggest architects of this massive transformation.
Nkwazi versus ZESCO United was a fixture many expected to produce sparks especially that the former have not lost to the latter at home for over 11 years and also managed to beat their opponents 0-1 at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium early this season.
With Kampamba exuding the level confidence and intelligence that can win you any game, ZESCO United were not going to be swept aside or stopped.
Nkwazi begun the game with the intention of getting a quick goal with Erick Chomba and Mapande putting Otieno to task in the initial stages of the game.
ZESCO United quickly adjusted themselves with Kampamba leading the charge towards the Nkwazi backline.
Yesterday, Kampamba was yet again at his best. On several occasions, Kampamba playfully danced his way through the Nkwazi midfield and defense.
In the 6’ minute, the former Nkana attacking midfielder unlocked a powerful shot which almost ended up in the Nkwazi net fortunately Muntanga recovered brilliantly.
Nkwazi responded swiftly with Mupande testing Otieno with a powerful shot that the ZESCO United shot stopper comfortably saved.
ZESCO United came close again in the 12’ minute however, Makwata missed after being put through by Kampamba.
In the 26’ Kampamba put ZESCO United ahead with a cracking shot that hit the crossbar before kissing the back of the net leaving Muntanga helpless.
Pampered by Kampamba’s goal, the league leaders surged forward in search of a second goal.
Makwata’s slalom run in the Nkwazi penalty box left the Kenyan with only Muntanga to beat unfortunately for the former, the Nkwazi goalkeeper managed to block his effort with an outstretched left leg.
Makwata was having one of the worst days of his time at ZESCO United. A quick interchange of passes in the midfield unlocked Were and Makwata with the former laying a beautiful pass to his Kenyan counterpart.
With only Muntanga to beat, Makwata disappointingly failed to convert at close range to the surprise of officials who had trooped into Sunset stadium to watch this mouthwatering encounter.
The second half started in similar fashion as the first, with Nkwazi searching for an equalizer.
ZESCO United came close in the 52’ minute however, Kampamba’s effort was comfortably saved by Muntanga.
In the 60’ minute Mumamba shuffled his cards bring on Samson Mkandawire, Luwawa Kasoma Bruce Musakanya while Simon Silwimba, Jesse Were, and Kelvin Kampamba were relegated to the bench.
A combination of Chanda Mukuka, Kasoma and Musakanya added extra pace to the game forcing Nkwazi to trade carefully.
With only 9 minutes to go, Luwawa unleashed a beautiful curling effort from the edge of the Nkwazi penalty box which ricocheted off the upright before kissing the back of the net.
Nkwazi responded swiftly with Christopher Zulu’s powerful shot at close range which left Otieno completely beaten. Unfortunately for Nkwazi, there wasn’t enought time to orchestrate a comeback.
ZESCO United will this Wednesday host league champions, Nkana Football club in the FAZ/MTN week 30 fixture scheduled for the Levy Mwanawasa stadium, Ndola.
Author: Desmond Katongo
