ZESCO United Football Club Team Ya Ziko
ZESCO United’s hopes of lifting a 10th league title came to a disappointing end following yesterday’s barren draw against Nkwazi in the MTN Super League week 33 fixture played at the Edwin Mboela stadium, Lusaka.
The nine times Zambian Super League champions came into yesterday’s game with high hopes of claiming maximum points; a result which could have put pressure on Red Arrows who were also engaged in their own battle for the title against Chambishi.
With the gap at the top of the table reduced to five points, ZESCO United and Red Arrows had all to fight for.
Unlike Red Arrows, ZESCO United needed a victory to ensure that they maintained a three-point lead between themselves and Green Eagles.
League leaders, Red Arrows came into yesterdays game with 64 points, while ZESCO United was holding on to second position with 59 points.
With 56 points in their bag, third placed Green Eagles were hoping to crash Prison Leopards and pile pressure on ZESCO United.
This was a-make-or-break day for the three top teams who deservedly so have withered the storm of playing 34 competitive league games.
At the end of the full 90 minutes, it was Red Arrows who emerged the 2021/22 Zambian Super League champions following their 3-1 victory over Chambishi.
League defending champions ZESCO United failed to beat relegation threatened Nkwazi managing only a point from a 0-0 outcome.
Green Eagles saw their hopes of finishing second further blown away after losing 3-1 to Prison Leopards.
Prison Leopards victory over Green Eagles shut the latter’s high hopes of surpassing ZESCO United come to a grinding halt further confirming the Ndola based league giant’s qualification for the 2022/23 CAF competition.
Red Arrows have cantered away with the league title following their impressive run in the 2021/22 league season in which they proved a menace to their rivals for the entire season.
Meanwhile ZESCO United will be kicking themselves for failing to win their 10th league title.
The 2020/21 league champions will be comfortable by their qualification to the 2022/23 CAF Competitions.
ZESCO United will finish their league campaign with an exciting game against Zanaco scheduled for May 8 at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium, Ndola.
Author: Desmond Katongo
