NKWAZI HOLD UNITED

Ndola based league outfit ZESCO United were yesterday held to a barren draw by Nkwazi in the MTN Super League week 20 fixture played at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium in Ndola.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the nine times league champions who failed to replicate last Saturday’s impressive form which saw them annihilate Red Arrows by a 0-3 score line.   

ZESCO United dominated play from the onset with the first effort coming in the 4’ minute unfortunately Kelvin Kampamba’s effort went agonizingly over the bar.

John Chishimba delivered a sumptuous cross in the 6’ minute which was also parried by Charles Muntanga to deny United an opener.

A quick exchange of passes between Collins Sikombe and John Chingandu left the latter with an open view on target only for the veteran midfielder to release a weak shot which hardly troubled the busy Nkwazi shot stopper.

The closest ZESCO United reached to taking the lead was from an unlikely source. After 28’ minutes of dominating proceedings, Nigerian defender Dennis Okon Nya unleashed a thunderous long range shot that was spilled by Muntanga who recovered quickly to thwart the threat.

Nkwazi hardly threatened in the first half with their cleanest attempt on target coming in the 31’ minute unfortunately for Justin Shonga, his free kick was deflected for a corner.

The first 45’ minute ended with Nkwazi being the happier side after managing to sustain the pressure from the hosts.

ZESCO United started the second half jostling for the opening goal against a solid, stubborn Nkwazi side whose mandate was to deny the visitors three points at all cost.

United would go a man up in the 47’ minute after George Ndhlovu was shown a straight red card after a lunging challenge on Chishimba.

Ndhlovu’s sending off was an opportunity for ZESCO United to unlock Nkwazi but only made the visitors to be more resolute in keeping a clean sheet.

The visitors held on to the draw despite being on the receiving end for most part of the second half.

ZESCO United will now shift focus to Saturday’s game against Lumwana Radiants to be played in Solwezi.

Author: Desmond Katongo