CAN ZESCO UNITED STOP POWER FROM DANCING AGAIN?

ZESCO United and Power Dynamos will this Sunday renew their rivalry when the two Copperbelt based Zambian football giants clash in Ndola at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium in the MTN Super League week six fixture.

This titanic clash is dubbed: ‘The Electricity Derby’ owing to the solid financial backing the two sides continue to enjoy from the country’s energy producing companies in ZESCO Limited and Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC).

ZESCO Limited has been at the helm of shifting the country’s football power base to Ndola which for a long time was centered around the Kitwe, Chingola, Mufulira based sides who dominated the Zambian game for decades.

Power Dynamos, Nchanga Rangers, Nkana, Mighty Mufulira Wanderers and Kitwe United were arguably the traditional dominant forces of the Zambian game starting as far back as the late 60’s to the late 90’s.

Like Manchester City’s recent resurgence in the English Premier League under Sheikh Mansour of Saudi Arabia, ZESCO Limited used its financial prowess to assume command of the local game by pumping life into what has become their traditional soccer brand, ZESCO United leaving the financially troubled Zambian sides dazed.

And like Manchester City, ZESCO United have in the last decade dominated the Zambian football sphere winning an outstanding record of nine league titles only four short of thirteen times league champions, Nkana.

Unlike Power Dynamos who have enjoyed sustained cash flow through CEC dating as far back as the 80’s, ZESCO United commands more league titles than Aba Yellow’s seven.

This shift in power hasn’t just ended in the domestic game. ZESCO United have in recent years turned themselves into the country’s most reliable side in continental football with their highest CAF outing being the 2016 Champions League semi-final finish.

On Sunday, the two sides will be meeting in another explosive cat and mouse affair which is expected to put their faithful followers at the edge of their seats.

Last season Power Dynamos left ZESCO United fans wailing in a tense affair which the Kitwe based side won 1-2.

A second half brace from Fredrick Mulambia, was all Power Dynamos needed to silence the Ndola based giants who took an early first half lead through Spencer Sautu.

Mumamba Numba’s side will be pumped up to rewrite last season’s failure by stamping authority on this fixture which for the last three seasons has seen ZESCO United beat Power Dynamos once at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium.

Power Dynamos on the other hand are aware of the major changes that have taken place at ZESCO United following the signing of eight players.

Mwenya Chipepo will need to revise his strategy if his side is to stand a chance of smiling their way back Kitwe after 90 minutes.

Numba will be aiming to win the battle of midfielders by unleashing the exciting Kelvin Kampamba, Collins Sikombe, Kizito Kezironi, Kelvin Kapumbu and Mukuka Chanda.

The ZESCO United gaffer will also rely on Enock Sakala, Alfred Leku and Vincent Oburu to unlock the Dynamos defense. Oburu’s availability will probably be on account of him passing match fitness after suffering a series of frustrating injuries.

In last season’s meeting, Ian Otieno was arguably the busiest of the two goalkeepers thwarting endless shots from Kennedy Musonda and company.

Numba will this time around expect the Kenyan to be well protected by the likes of Clement Mwape, Adrian Chama, Jack Ngulube, Solomon Sakala and Shemy Mayembe.

Power Dynamos on the other hand will rely on the solid defensive services and leadership skills of Faustin Bakodila to thwart any threats from the hosts.

Owen Tembo is the combative midfield general that Chipepo will unleash to contain the cleverness of Kezironi, Kampamba, Mukuka and company.

Super sub Jacob Kaunda who despite scoring one goal is proving to be a handful when he comes on late in the game to wear out the opposition after Musonda has worked himself off.

Forget the warm, progressive and respectable relationship that ZESCO Limited and CEC enjoy. Sunday’s clash will pit these two corporate giants in a neck and neck battle for supremacy when ZESCO United face Power Dynamos.

Author: Desmond Katongo