ZESCO UNITED TAME BUFFALOES

Zambian Super League defending champions ZESCO United yesterday beat Green Buffaloes 0-3 in the MTN Super League week 25 fixture played at the Woodlands stadium, Lusaka.

A 22’ minute goal from in form club attacking midfielder, John Chingandu gave the visitors an early advantage in match that promised to live up to its billing.

It was very clear from the onset that Numba Mumamba had directed his charges to show force, precision in passing and a killer instinct on target.

This was evident from the way Clement Mwape, Peter Maker Manyang, Shemmy Mayembe and Fackson Kapumbu approached matters at the back.

The ZESCO United backline showed extreme force in thwarting whatever form of attack the army sponsored side offloaded upfront.

What was also impressive was the way Fackson Kampumbu and Shemmy Mayembe would turn into swift attackers whenever Green Buffaloes threats were thwarted.

Donashano ‘Ichamilando’ Malama was the man deployed to do the dirty work whenever the league defending champions lost the ball in the middle of the park.

Malama’s presence behind the attacking midfielders provided more than cover for the visitors but also poured fear in Green Buffaloes midfielders and strikers.

The former Nkana defensive midfielder deliciously circulated the ball to ZESCO United’s menacing attackers.

A combination of Spencer Sautu, Collins Sikombe and John Chingandu will always cause problems for any defense.

Chingandu doesn’t have the body size to shove players around him, however this meagerness is compensated with his intelligence on and off the ball and his ability to beat defenders.

Yesterday Chingandu proved why for a very long time ZESCO United’s attacking philosophy revolves around the little genius.

Numba Mumamba described Sikombe as a utility player for the team. Yesterday, the Zambia National Team attacking midfielder lived up to that description.

Sikombe defended, provided precision passes upfront and turned striker when opportunity presented itself.

The prince of Choma, Sautu surged forward with intelligence, provided pinpoint crosses to ZESCO United swift attackers and dribbled his way into the Buffaloes defense when opportunity presented itself.

Veteran striker Winston Kalengo maybe at the end of his career. However, it’s his killer instincts in the box and well-timed runs that make him a very useful member of the ZESCO United squad.

Kalengo will probably be regretting not meeting Vincent Oburu much earlier. The two were a marvel to watch.

ZESCO United started yesterdays match hoping to put pressure on second placed Green Eagles and league leaders Red Arrows.

It was very clear from the first whistle that the visitors buoyed by an impressive victory against Nkana will be going for three maximum points.

The host defense found themselves on the backfoot as early as the 1’ minute when Sautu dribbled past three Green Buffaloes defenders only for his effort to go wide.

Green Buffaloes were the first team to have a clean shot on target with Ngoma’s ferocious shot on target comfortably saved by Otieno in the 15’ minute.

ZESCO United were awarded a free kick in the 19’ minute which was taken by Sikombe with the formers effort saved by Mfula.

The visitor’s swift movements in the middle of the park overwhelmed Green Buffaloes leading to the first goal of the match.

In the 22’ minute, a quick interchange of passes in the Buffaloes penalty box between Kalengo and Chingandu led the latter to unlock a powerful shot that went underneath the body of Mfula for ZESCO United to take the lead.

Chingandu was back again but his 29’ minute shot on target went off target.

Green Buffaloes also responded in style with Siame’s 35’ powerful shot on target comfortably saved by an alert Otieno.

Kalengo was doing the running upfront and causing all kinds of problems for the hosts. However, the veteran strikers’ legs gave in the 44’minute following what looked like a pulled muscle.

Kelvin Kampamba was itching to play a part in the game and that opportunity came after Kalengos injury.

Kampamba made an instant impact, feeding Chingandu with an exquisite cross with the latter’s glancing header coming off the upright.

Chingandu’s header was the last action of the first 45 with ZESCO United well placed to double the lead in the second half.

Green Buffaloes started the second half breathing fire and almost equalized in the 56’ minute but Kayawes header went off target.

Three minutes latter Chingandu was back on target with a beautiful goal beating Mfula at close range to score a brace.

Chingandu’s second goal gave ZESCO United enough oomph to charge forward making life more difficult for an almost exhausted Green Buffaloes side.

In the 63’minute Mwape found himself in the clear to unlock a powerful shot that went inches wide.

Chingandu’s time on the pitch came to an end in 67’ minute with the ZESCO United faithful giving the little genius a well-deserved standing ovation.

Chanda Mukuka took Chingandu’s place and immediately took the game to the hosts who at this time fighting hard to keep Mfulas goal mouth insulated.

A quick switch of ball movement from Malama to Sikombe saw the latter release a beautiful cross to Kampamba whose only barrier to get his goal was an alert Mfula who pulled off a fantastic save at close range.

In the 73’ minute Chandu Mukuka spotted Mfula off his line before releasing a screamer of shot from the middle of the park which ended up at the back of the net.

ZESCO United confidently defended the score line to ensure that they kept their recent winning momentum on course.

The league defending champions 0-3 victory against Green Buffaloes left them 1point behind second placed Green Eagles who beat Chambishi 1-0, and 2 points behind league leaders Red Arrows who face Forest Rangers today.

Author: Desmond Katongo