LOLA LEAVES IT LATE AS UNITED STING WARRIORS

ZESCO United yesterday beat Kabwe Warriors 1-0 in the MTN Super League week 27 fixture played at Trade Fair Grounds, Ndola.

Congolese striker, Moise Lola broke Warriors hearts in the 90 minutes when he took advantage of the visitor’s failure to clear the ball in their penalty area scoring-what turned out to be the match winner for the home side.

This was the first meeting between George Lwandamina and Mumamba Numba since the two coaches traded seats a few months ago.

Before yesterday match Lwandamina’s United side had recorded back-to-back defeats with the recent being a 1nil defeat to Kansanshi Dynamos while Numba’s Warriors were coming from a similar dilemma at the hands of Napsa Stars.

The ingredients surrounding this clash made it one if not the best fixture of the weekends matches before Chipolopolo welcome the Crocodiles of Lesotho.

Warriors were the better side in the initial exchanges and almost got an early goal in the 7 minute but Samuel Ouma’s header agonizingly came off the upright.

United’s defense made up of Denise Onya, Clement Mwape, Samson Mkandawire and Jack Ngulube were still trying to get a good understanding of the movements of Ocean Mushure, Ouma and Mwachiaba Akakulubelwa.

It was clear from the initial exchanges that Numba’s strategy was to use the wings to break down the United defense as quick as possible.

In the 15’ minute, Akakulubelwa delivered a sumptuous cross which Bartuel Tembo exquisitely managed to direct on target forcing Otieno to come up with a brilliant save which left the entire Warriors technical bench on their feet.

United slowly started building their way into the game with Kampamba’s 18’ minute and 30’ minute free kicks going inches wide.

Lazarus Kambole was the focus of Warriors defense knowing that the prolific striker could hit them at any time given an opportunity.

Warriors opted to isolate Kambole who found himself tightly marked every time he touched the ball. The Young African’s striker was forced to turn provider when the going got tough.

United’s clearest of Chances came in the 41’ minute when Sautu squared a pass to Mkandawire who unleashed a ferocious shot that left Aime Ngokene completely beaten but the ball went inches wide. The first half came with both teams having failed to break each other’s defenses.

The second half started at a fast pace with both teams hoping to get a goal in a match which was proving to be a cagey affair.

Lwandamina had seen enough from Sautu replacing the attacking midfielder with Congolese striker Moise Lola in the 64’ minute.

With a heavy downpour of rainfall now bellowing on Trade Fair grounds threatening to ruin what was proving to be an exciting match, the referee stopped the game in the 65’ minute to consult with officials and players from both teams whether the match was ideal to continue. After a few whispers between the parties, the match resumed.

Lwandamina made further tactical changes which saw the veteran gaffer withdraw Kampamba replacing him with Nigerian striker Wasiu Jimoh. Lwandamina had sensed the need for stronger legs upfront especially that the pitch conditions had become difficult due to the rains.

United almost broke the ceiling in the 80’ minute but Nya’s header could only come off the cross bar.

In the 85’ minute Sikombe and Kambole charged forward leaving an entire Warriors defense exposed only for the ball to get stuck in the pool of water that was building in the middle of the park.

With the Warriors penalty box waterlogged, United players opted to float high and dangerous balls hoping to pounce on any lapse in defense.

The initiative paid off in the 90’ minute when Lola pounced on a loose ball which the Warriors defenders agonizingly failed to clear gifting the Congolese striker his first goal for United.

United managed to sail past the 3 minutes added time gifting Lwandamina a very important victory against his predecessors.

Author: Desmond Katongo