CLASSY KEZIRONI STEERS UNITED TO VICTORY

He may not have been on the scoresheet nor did he create the two goals scored by ZESCO United but Kizito Kezironi orchestrated much of the damage that eventually consumed a resolute Lumwana Radiants.

ZESCO United yesterday beat Lumwana Radiants 2-1 in the MTN Super League week four fixture played at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium, Ndola.

Following a crucial away victory against Nkwazi, Mumamba Numba was determined to shepherd his side to another win against a stubborn Lumwana Radiants side.

Numba resorted to what has arguably been his best eleven in the last two games that saw the Ndola based league giants lose 0-1 to Red Arrows before recording an important away victory against Nkwazi.

Ian Otieno commanded the goalmouth protected by captain of the day, Clement Mwape.

Solomon Sakala and Jack Ngulube were charged with the responsibility of pacing the right and left wing respectively.

Convinced by what he saw in the last two games, Numba picked Kelvin Kapumbu, Kezironi Kizito, Mukuka Chanda, Collins Sikombe and Kelvin Kampamba to command the midfield.

Leading the attack was Enock Sakala who was selected ahead of Ugandan striker, Alfred Leku.

ZESCO United started the first half pumped to unsettle Lumwana Radiants with an early goal.

The hosts dictated play especially in the middle of the park where Kezironi danced and floated like a bee with each exquisite pass proving too confusing for a dazed Radiants midfield.

A 13’ minute quick interchange of passes between Kelvin Kampamba and Collins Sikombe saw the latter unleash a long range shot that went over the bar.

Ngulube’s 15’ inch perfect cross found a towering Enock Sakala whose header went over the bar leaving the ZESCO United faithful wailing for an opener.

ZESCO United dominated much of the play in the first half which unfortunately could not materialize into a goal.

With no sign of a goal after 25’ minutes of knocking on Lumwana Radiants door, Kampumbu unleashed a long range shot which was saved by Fred Wambinji.

Lumwana Radiants came close to breaking the deadlock after a quick exchange of passes between Richard Zulu and Ndoli Tito caught the United defense napping but the latter put his close-range effort over the bar.

ZESCO United responded in style with a combination of passes between Kampamba and Kezironi with the Ugandan threading a sumptuous pass to Sikombe whose final effort went inches over the bar.

The first half ended with the visitors managing to thwart any threats from the hosts.

ZESCO United started the second half determined to find the back of the net following a frustrating first half.

Sikombe was the first one to test Wambinji with a powerful close range shot which the Radiants shot stopper comfortably collected.

A 51’ minute cross from Shemmy Mayembe was perfectly headed back into the Lumwana Radiants penalty box by Chanda Mukuka for Sikombe to dispatch the hosts first goal.

Buoyed by a flamboyant crowd, ZESCO United charged forward in search of a second goal.

A 57’ minute long range searching ball from Clement Mwape was badly misjudged by Muleta Mubiana whose effort to clear the lines left Wambanji helpless only for Sakala to pounce, beating three players in the process before slotting home a second for the hosts.

Lumwana Radiants pulled one back in the 71’ minute following a long throw in from Benjamin Mukanda which was met by a ferocious shot from Andrew Kwiliko beating Otieno.

Kwiliko’s goal reinvigorated ZESCO United to push for a third and potentially final goal of the match.

Kezironi’s sumptuous cross in the penalty box was headed in by the towering Sakala only for the goal to be disallowed for an offside by FIFA referee, Janny Sikazwe.

ZESCO United held on to the lead which saw them move to seventh on the league table with seven points, three behind leaders Nchanga Rangers.

The Ndola based league giants will this Saturday date Green Eagles in another mouthwatering fixture scheduled for Choma.

Author: Desmond Katongo