Zanaco Stun Zesco

Elias Chipepo

19 May 2011

Zanaco yesterday stunned champions Zesco United to move into second position on the MTN/FAZ Premier League table after this Week Two rescheduled encounter played before a handsome crowd.

The victory moved the bankers up to 15 points, same as Red Arrows, but enjoy a better goal difference of eight compared to the airmen who have six, while Zesco, who have suffered their first league defeat from six games remain rooted on 12 points.

Zesco, who were eliminated from the 2011 Orange CAF African Champions League by Al Ahly of Egypt and now playing the Confederations Cup, made a false start a minute to half time scoring through a well executed Arthur Kaseloki free-kick.

The free-kick came about after Ziyo Tembo handled under pressure from pint-sized Clifford Chipalo just outside the box and Kaseloki’s low but hard drive shot was too much for Zanaco ‘keeper Allan Chibwe to keep out despite making contact with the ball.

Zanaco coach Wedson Nyirenda introduced Frabic Mbimba in the 53rd to add firepower upfront substituting ineffective midfielder Henry Banda while Zesco trainer Fighton Simukonda made a double change bringing in Innocent Mwaba and Sydney Kalume for Chipalo and Potipher Tembo respectively.

But it was the home team that made most of its substitutions as Zanaco started attacking with Mwelwa Sakala finishing off an Ignatius Luipa pass inside the box in the 56th before striker Moses Phiri scored the winner in the 63rd.

Zanaco were awarded a free kick for a foul just outside the box after Khondwani Mtonga brought down Simon Banda to send Nyirenda into wild celebrations, especially that it was a sweet revenge over a side that gave them a 2-0 thumping during the 2010 Barclays Cup final.

It was also a bad return for striker Winstone Kalengo who was facing

his former side since joining the Ndola side this season, his effort in

the 90th minute was blocked by Charles Siyingwa before heading the

resulting corner way wide at goal.

Zanaco had good scoring opportunities in the first half but wasteful

Banda could only manage to shoot wide at goal in the 42nd from just outside the box three minutes after Luipa blazed his shot wide at goal inside the penalty box.

Nyirenda summed up the victory as sweet as it demonstrated that his side was capable of beating the “so-called” big teams while Simukonda refused to give a comment.

At Sunset Stadium

Zanaco 2 Zesco 1

AllAfrica – All the Time