LUPIYA, SANJASE SEES RED AS MUZA HOLD UNITED

ZESCO United wasted another great opportunity to close in on the top four following yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Muzabuka based newly promoted side MUZA FC in an encounter played at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium, Ndola.

The hosts dominated proceedings in the wee periods of the game and got an 11’ minute goal through a Clement Mwape close range header which was unfortunately ruled out for offside by FAZ Referee, Milton Mweemba.

MUZA FC had one or two dangerous moments which saw Banda and Kasanda come close to putting the visitors ahead in the 10’ and 13’ minute respectively but both attempts went over the bar.

The visitors didn’t have to wait longer to break the deadlock with a perfectly taken penalty by Mandra Muleya which left ZESCO United shot stopper Gregory Sanjase completely beaten.

Mweemba awarded MUZA a penalty in the 24’ minute of the game after Clement Mwape was judged to have handled the ball inside the ZESCO United penalty box.

ZESCO United pressed forward in search of an equalizer but MUZA FC defense managed to freeze the onslaught from the hosts.

United continued to ask numerous questions and were later rewarded after Collins Sikombe curled a powerful long-range shot which ended up at the top right side corner of the net leaving Monga Ndala helpless.

Sikombe’s equalizer reignited the hosts spirits to push for a second but MUZA FC stood their grounds till to the end of the first half.

ZESCO United started the second half searching for a second goal which could potentially unsettle a stubborn MUZA FC side.

The Ndola based league outfit almost extended the lead in the 48’ minute but Kelvin Kapumbu’s sumptuous free kick came off the upright.

United continued to commit men forward a decision which almost backfired when MUZA launched a counter attack in the 65’ minute which left Clement Mwape exposed at the back only for Chanda Chileshe’s powerful shot to come off the cross bar.

ZESCO United’s worst nightmare came to reality when acting Head Coach Alfred Lupiya was shown a straight red card by Mweemba after a confrontation with the MUZA FC technical bench.

Lupiya’s sending off saw, ZESCO United physical trainer Winstone Kalengo and goalkeeper coach Jacob Banda take up the coaching role.

To compound matters further, ZESCO United goalkeeper Gregory Sanjase was baptized with a straight red card by Mweemba after the goalkeeper was judged to have handled the ball outside his penalty box.

ZESCO United and MUZA ended up settling for a point apiece in a match which was riddled with bizarre officiating scenes.

Yesterday’s draw leaves ZESCO United on ninth position with thirteen points, seven points behind league leaders Red Arrows who currently have twenty points.

The nine-times league champions will this Saturday face Kabwe Warriors in the MTN Super League week 10 encounter scheduled for the Godfrey Ucar Chitalu stadium, Kabwe.

Author: Desmond Katongo