MATCH REPORT: WERE BRACE SINKS ZESCO UNITED

A brace from Kenyan International and former ZESCO United prolific striker Jesse Were frustrated the league defending champions hopes of reducing the gap at the top of the MTN Super League table.

Relegation threatened Kansanshi Dynamos beat ZESCO United 2-0 in the MTN Super League week 23 match played today at the independence stadium, Solwezi.

Today’s result was a clear depiction of what happens in football when you fail to convert your opportunities.

The first half started with ZESCO United dominating proceeding for most part of the game.

It took the visitors 5’ minutes to threaten the hosts goalmouth with a long-range strike from Kelvin Kampamba which was spilled by Scotch Mwanza with Winstone Kalengo’s follow through easily saved by the Dynamos shot stopper.

4’ minutes later Kalengo was back again in the mix of things beating two Dynamos defenders in the penalty box only to unlock a weak shot, to the comfort of a discontent Mwanza.

ZESCO United were doing all the talking in the first 10’ minutes of the game with club captain John Chingandu releasing a ferocious shot on target that came off the cross bar leaving Mwanza rooted.

In the 19’ minute, the visitors surged forward with ZESCO United debutant, Collins Sikombe releasing a sumptuous pass to Kalengo but the latter’s close range effort went inches wide.

The hosts responded with Kenyan international striker Were unlocking the first shot on target for Dynamos which was comfortably saved by Otieno.

ZESCO United took the lead in the 22’ minute after Chinga’ndu managed to squeeze a low shot which passed between the legs of Mwanza only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

With only 3’ minutes remaining before the break, Samson Mkandawire misjudged the bounce of the ball which was floated just outside the visitor’s penalty box only for Were to pounce on the opportunity beating Otieno at close range.

The first half ended with ZESCO United trailing by 1-0 in a game that they could have wrapped up within 20’ minutes of the half had they converted their chances.

Kansanshi Dynamos returned for the second half pumped up by Were’s goal while ZESCO United comeback looking for an equalizer.

The second half started with the hosts threatening to score a second only for Muyumba’s 51’ minute effort to skim off the crossbar.

6’ minutes later, Bruce Musakanya came close with a ferocious effort that went past the upright.

In the 69’ minute Dynamos where back again with Dave Daka looking to double the lead but his close-range effort went wide.

ZESCO United had a glorious opportunity to level matters but Enock Sakala could only manage to put his first contribution of the game over the bar.

With 7’ minutes to go before the close of the game, Were added more misery to his former side by scoring a second goal.

Todays defeat leaves ZESCO United in second position with 38 points having played a game better than league leaders, Red Arrows who will be in action tomorrow against Green Eagles.

ZESCO United will be hoping to quickly recover from today’s defeat ahead of next Saturdays mouthwatering clash against Nkana.

Author: Desmond Katongo