ZESCO United Football Club Team Ya Ziko
Zambian Super League giants, ZESCO United were yesterday left astounded by the ruthlessness of a pumped-up Green Buffaloes side when the two sides clashed in the MTN Super League week thirteen fixture at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium, Ndola.
Green Buffaloes came into yesterdays game hoping to break a ten-year record that has seen the Army sponsored side fail to beat ZESCO United at the latter’s home turf.
This decade old narrative however took a swing in the 12’ minute when John Kosamu charged forward, isolating a wobbly ZESCO United backline before releasing the ball back to Robinson Siame who unleashed a powerful close range shot that left Gregory Sanjase helpless.
Siame’s goal forced ZESCO United acting head coach Alfred Lupiya to make an early substitution which saw Shemmy Mayembe give way to Fackson Kapumbu.
Playing with a high line, ZESCO United charged forward to find an equalizer but it was the visitors that proved more clinical on target than the hosts.
Sensing vulnerability in the United defense, Green Buffaloes mounted a counter attack in the 18’ minute which ended with Jack Chirwa pouncing on a sumptuous cross to head home a second for the visitors.
Chirwa’s goal resulted into an inquest among ZESCO United players who at that point looked a million times different from the side that overwhelmed Zanaco in last Saturday’s 1-0 league defeat at the Sunset stadium.
Kenyan prolific striker, Vincent Oburu made a return to the squad after recovering from an injury which kept him out of action for sometime.
The Kenyan however, failed to breach Green Buffaloes defense which looked determined and resolved to canter away with three maximum points.
A 21’ minute shot from the Kenyan was easily saved by an alert Geoffrey Silavwe who at this point in the game remained untested.
The referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the first half with Masauso Phiri’s side looking hungrier for a win than the hosts.
Green Buffaloes started the second half looking more threatening than Lupiya’s led ZESCO United side.
Lupiya reshuffled his cards in the 55’ minute, substituting Kizito Kezironi and bring on Kelvin Kampamba.
Kampamba’s introduction brought some life into the side and ZESCO United almost got one back in the 60’ minute but Silavwe’s heart stopping double saves denied John Chingandu and Enock Sakala from finding the back of the net.
ZESCO United’s hopes of reducing the deficit were completely dashed in the 69’ minute after Kosamu came up with a jaw dropping goal that left journalists in the Media Tribune clapping.
Kosamu was gifted with a sumptuous pass at the edge of the ZESCO United penalty box before managing to dribble past Kampamba leaving the Buffaloes player with ample time to release a ferocious shot with the outside of his left foot beating Sanjase at the near post.
Green Buffaloes 3rd goal was an indication that the Army sponsored side had changed their artillery which for the last ten years has been known to fire blanks at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium.
A 75’ minute long range ferocious shot from Golden Mashata came off the upright with an outstretched Sanjase completely beaten.
Mkandawire’s 90’ minute goal hardly troubled the visitors who at this point looked satisfied with the 3-1 lead.
ZESCO United next game is against an in form Chambeshi who also caused an upset in Lusaka by beating Napsa Stars 2-1.
Author: Desmond Katongo
