ZESCO United Football Club Team Ya Ziko
ZESCO United have claimed a crucial away point when the 8-times Super League champions came up against Green Eagles in the FAZ/MTN Super League Week Eleven fixture held at the Independence stadium, Choma.
A barren draw against the country’s envoy in the CAF Confederation Cup, Green Eagles means that the former league champions ascend to the summit of the Zambian game with 19 points.
ZESCO United coach Numba Mumamba emphasised to the team the need to finish strong before the league goes on recess.
However, playing a wounded Green Eagles in Choma was always going to be a tough ask for any team.
The hosts lost 3-1 to Nkana Football Club making today’s clash against ZESCO United a must win affair.
ZESCO United, however came out the more ambitious side in the first half dominating play with some entertaining football.
Both Winstone Kalenga and Enock Sakala created a few opportunities in the first half unfortunately, they both failed to find the back of the net.
In the 27’ minute Fackson Kapumbu’s excellent free-kick was tipped over the bar by former Nkana Football Club goalkeeper, Allan Chibwe.
ZESCO United could have taken the lead 2’ minutes before the end of the first half unfortunately Kalengo decided to lay off a goal scoring opportunity to an unsuspecting Sakala who completely missed the ball.
The first half ended with Eagles looking like the visiting team between the two clubs.
The second half turned out to be a cagey affair with both teams creating very few scoring opportunities while defending with great caution.
However, Green Eagles coach Aggrey Chiyengi urged his players to charge forward in an attempt to unlock the ZESCO United defense.
Green Eagles players heed their managers call and almost opened their account in the 49’ minute.
Shadreck Mulungwe’s free-kick just outside the visitor’s penalty box went inches wide leaving Otieno rooted between the posts.
Kampumbu was turning out to be the free-kick specialist for ZESCO United. In the 56’ minute, his well-executed second attempt on target was yet again saved by Chibwe.
Green Eagles played with some purpose in some parts of the second half unfortunately the ZESCO United defense remained resolute.
Mumamba made some changes in the last parts of the game with Logic Chingandu replacing Mwape Mwelwa whilst Donashano Malama limped off the game and was replaced by Samuel Sikaonga.
Enock Sakala also gave way for David Molinga while Bruce Musakanya was replaced by Kasoma Luwawa.
When the fulltime whistle was finally blown, ZESCO United walked away the happier side considering the fact that Independence stadium has been a fortress for Green Eagles in recent years.
Mumamba will have at least three weeks to start planning for the second part of season.
Author: Desmond Katongo
