UNITED OVERCOME STUBBORN BUILDCON

ZESCO United yesterday beat Buildcon 3-2 in a thrilling MTN Super League week eleven match played at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium, Ndola.

The hosts found the back of the net as early as the 7’ minute when Mukuka Chanda found himself unmarked in the visitor’s penalty box before unleashing powerful unstoppable close-range shot into an open net.

Collins Sikombe doubled the lead in the 30’ minute after dispatching an immaculate free kick that left Buildcon goalkeeper Prince Malekani rooted.

The game went to halftime with ZESCO United looking sharper on target despite the visitors dominating much of the possession.

ZESCO United started the second half in a commanding position and eager to stretch the lead beyond Buildcons reach.

Acting Head Coach, Alfred Lupiya decided to make early changes substituting Peter Maker Manyang for Adrian Chama whilst Enock Sakala came on for John Chingandu.

The game would take the same pattern witnessed in the first half with Buildcon seeing more of the ball and completing more passes than the hosts.

Some sloppy defending by ZESCO United gave Buildcon some lifeline when an unmarked Christopher Chola reduced the deficit in the 47’ minute with a close-range finish which Cyril Chibwe could not stop.

3’ minutes later, ZESCO United stretched the lead through a Clement Mwape powerful header that beat Malekani at his near post.

Buildcon continued to torment and test the ZESCO United backline that looked shaky whenever the visitors charged forward.

The visitor’s persistence finally paid off when Adrian Chama’s back pass to the goalkeeper was quickly intercepted by Manongo Jonathan who easily dispatched home Buildcons second goal of the day leaving Chibwe helpless.

Manongo’s goal gave the visitors more courage to seek for a third but the hosts held on to the lead giving them a second victory in five matches.

In his post-match comments, Lupiya admitted his sides lack of composure in defense against a determined Buildcon side.

“A very tough match indeed. I warned my players about Buildcons threat and that we were not going to have an easy match. Our opponents may be passing through a bad patch, but they have a good side.

“We won the game, but we didn’t play well. We made some school boy mistakes something which destabilized our play. The good thing is that we collected maximum points against a confident side.”

And Buildcon Head Coach, Nchimunya Mweetwa was impressed by his side’s performance despite the defeat.

“It was a good game. We both know each other, and you also know that this was always going to be a competitive match because it is a derby. It is difficulty to lose like this, but you can go home and relax because of the play. The boys gave their best.”

Yesterday win has moved ZESCO United into fifth position on the league table with only three points behind second placed Green Eagles.

ZESCO United will this coming Saturday face Zanaco in the MTN Super League week twelve fixture to be staged at Sunset stadium.

Author: Desmond Katongo