LUPIYA: WE NEED TO AVOID CONCEDING EARLY GOALS

Nine times league champions, ZESCO United were yesterday held to a 1-1 draw by Mazabuka based side MUZA FC in the MTN Super League week nine matche held at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium, Ndola.

MUZA FC took an early lead in the 24’ minute through a Mandra Muleya’s penalty which left ZESCO United shot stopper Gregory Sanjase completely beaten.

ZESCO United responded with a Collins Sikombe well-crafted 24’ minute goal which ended up at the top end of the net leaving Ndala Monga helpless.

The game which was marred by several controversial decisions from FAZ referee, Milton Mweemba saw ZESCO United head coach Alfred Lupiya red carded after an altercation with the MUZA FC technical bench.

Mweemba would later unleash another red card, sending off ZESCO United shot stopper Gregory Sanjase after he was judged to have handled the ball outside his penalty box.

In his post-match comments, ZESCO United acting Head Coach, Alfred Lupiya bemoaned his sides defensive lapses.

“We need to start defending well in order to avoid conceding early goals. What happened today(yesterday) is a repeat of the last two games we have played. Napsa scored as early as the second minute same applies to Kansanshi Dynamos. I think we need to work on our defense.

I think there is also an aspect of fatigue in these players because we have played a lot of games in a short space of time. It’s not easy for these boys. Let’s not forget that they are also humans,” Lupiya said.

Meanwhile Lupiya expects his side to quickly shift focus towards Saturday’s thrilling match against George Lwandamina’s Kabwe Warriors side to be played at the Godfrey Ucar Chitalu stadium.

“What has happened today(yesterday) is behind us now. Our focus now has moved to the next game against Kabwe Warriors. We have the players who can do the business for us. Cyril Chibwe will replace Sanjase deputized by our U-20 goalkeeper Levison Banda.”

Author: Desmond Katongo