Sun, 19 Mar 2017 13:14:10 +0000
By GRACE CHAILE-LESOETSA
ZESCO United yesterday twice came from behind to hold Le Messager Ngozi to a 2-2 draw in the first round return leg played at Prince Louis Stadium in Bujumbura and subsequently qualified to the pre-group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup on a 4-2 aggregate.
The five-time Zambian league champions advanced to the pre-group stage on a 4-2 aggregate score-line after a 2-0 win over Le Messager in the first leg in Ndola on March 10.
Zesco’s showed eagerness to take an early lead in the sixth minute when Jackson Mwanza shot hit the side of the net.
After 10 minutes of play, Zesco raised the tempo and literally camped inside Le Messager half but it was just a matter of time before the visitors’ defence was torn apart as Le Messager play-maker Oliver Bayizere proved to be too much for Dauti Musekwe to contain. The Zambian club had an opportunity in the 22nd minute when Mwanza dribbled the Burundi side defenders but Jesse Were miscued a header.
With Anthony Akumu and Misheck Chaila having difficulties in controlling the Zesco midfield, Ngozi’s Enock Sabumukama freely supplied balls to Ally Fatak and Bayizere in the front.
Were again failed to convert from a John Chingándu pin-point pass when his shot was parried by goalkeeper Dieulomme Ntibahezwa sending the game on a stalemate at the break.
Le Messager opened the scores in the 49th minute throw Sabumukana after he beat the entire midfield and defence to coolly finish.
In the 59th minute of play, Zesco’s Idriss Mbombo’s header cannoned off the woodwork from Fackson Kapumbu’s free kick after the Le Messager goalie parried it over for a corner which was wasted.
But Zesco equalised in the 61st minute when Were headed in a powerful throw-in from Kapumbu. But five minutes later, they suffered a setback when Mbombo was yellow carded which makes him unavailable for the next continental assignment.
In 73rd, Zesco almost doubled the advantage, but David Owino’s goal from a Kapumbu free-kick was disallowed.
Le Messager made it 2-1 in the 86th minute through Abdoul Amini but Owino’s cancelled the lead with a goal in the 90th minute to end the game on a 2-2 draw and sending Zesco to the pre-group stage.
Zesco coach Zlatko Krmprotic praised the lads for booking a spot to the next round
