Thu, 11 May 2017 10:34:52 +0000
By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
ZESCO United came from behind to draw 2-2 against visiting Green Buffaloes in a Super League Week 6 fixture played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola yesterday.
The Ndola outfit were disappointing ahead of the Confederation Cup group stage tie against Egyptian side Smouha this Saturday.
Buffaloes set the tone of the match from the start and were dominant in midfield.
Brian Mwila opened the scores in the 11th minute after outsprinting Zesco defender Marcel Kalonda and releasing a low shot to put Buffaloes in the lead.
The visiting side doubled the scores in the 26th minute through Diamond Chikwekwe.
In 38th minute, Zesco had a clear opportunity to pull one back when they were awarded a penalty after Fellon Sitonya handled in the box but John Ching’ándu fired wide.
In the second half, Zesco coach Zlatko Krmpotic rested Fackson Kapumbu and Lazarus Kombole for Jessy Were, Ben Banh and Kondwani Mtonga. Two minutes later, Krmpotic was sent off the bench by referee Derrick Kafuli for misconduct.
Banh scored the first for Zesco in the 72nd minute while Idris Mbombo’s effort to level matters was frustrated in the 81st when Sydney Lombe cleared his shot off the line. Buffaloes looked set to grab full points till the 90th minute when David Owino headed in a Ching’ándu corner to end the match 2-2.
The draw pushed Zesco to second position on the log with 11 points, and are separated on goal difference with leaders Lumwana Radiants.
Meanwhile, Zesco United’s Egyptian opponents in the Confederation Cup Smouha FC arrived in Zambia at midday yesterday with coach Momen Soliman declaring victory in Saturday’s clash.
“It will be a tough match but we are ready for Zesco. We are here to pick the valuable three points,” he said. And Zambia’s CAF Champions League representatives Zanaco left for Egypt yesterday ahead of their group stage fixture against Al Ahly this weekend.
