MUMAMBA SMELLS LEAGUE TITLE AS ZESCO UNITED BEAT DYNAMOS

ZESCO United yesterday stretched the gap at the top of the league table to eight points following their 0-1 victory against 2021 Absa cup champions, Lusaka Dynamos.

With second placed Zanaco losing 1-2 to Kitwe United on Saturday, ZESCO United only need three wins to be declared 2020/2021 FAZ/MTN Super League champions.

ZESCO United coach Numba Mumamba was a relieved man following his sides two consecutive loses which ended their 10-match unbeaten run and further saw the gap at the top of the league table reduced to five points.

Yesterday’s game was a tense affair especially for the visitors with Lusaka Dynamos dominating much of the proceedings in the first half.

Lusaka Dynamos played an open game with Emmanuel Chabula and Collins Sikomba leading the attack.

Chabula was the first to unleash a powerful shot on target in the 6’ minute which Otieno saved.

Dynamos came back again in the 8’ minute with Poso Bionick’s powerful free-kick that Otieno comfortably saved.

The hosts saw much of the ball and dictated matters going forward. In the 15’ minute Willy unlocked a powerful shot that Otieno once again saved.

ZESCO United came close to finding the back of the net in the 28’ minute with Solomon Sakala’s header coming off the upright.

With Dynamos committing men forward, Mumamba sensed the opportunity of unlocking their defense which stood firm in the Absa cup final.

In the 36’ minute, Luwawa Kasoma was replaced with Kenyan international striker, Jesse Were.

Were’s introduction brought some pace moving forward with veteran striker Winstone  Kalengo finding more room to maneuver.

A fine interchange of passes between Kampamba and silwimba saw the latter unlock a sweet cross that was met by an unmarked Were who nodded in the only goal of the game.

ZESCO United stood firm in the second half securing a very crucial victory before playing Prison Leopards on Wednesday in Kabwe.

Victory against Lusaka Dynamos was a great relief for Mumamba:” This win has put us in a better position to challenge for the title. We have created eight points gap between us and Zanaco which is good for us.

We just need to keep pushing our team. We have another important game in Kabwe where we need to work hard and get the three points,” Mumamba said.

The ZESCO United gaffer was elated by the way his side accounted for themselves during the entire 90’ minutes.

“This was an evenly contested match. Lusaka Dynamos played well and we also played well. The only thing that has made a difference is the goal we have scored. The team has responded well after the two loses. It is good motivation for us as we prepare for the next game.

Today, Dynamos played an open game that is why we had enough spaces in the last third of attack giving us an opportunity to get a goal. They didn’t sit back like they did in the cup final.”

ZESCO United face Prison Leopards on Wednesday in Kabwe before hosting Kitwe United on Sunday.

Author: Desmond Katongo