Wed, 21 Jun 2017 09:45:12 +0000
…Zambians go down 3-0 after poor show in Angola
By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
ZESCO United coach Zlatko Krmpotic was yesterday upset by his side’s 3-0 massacre by a determined Recreativo Despotivo do Libolo of Angola.
Krmpotic was disappointed by the loss, saying the players wasted chances in the second half.
Libolo put Zesco’s CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final ambition in limbo at Estadio do Calulo in Angola.
Zesco struggled in the opening half, failing to create clear chances while the hosts enjoyed dominance.
Jolsy Kaya stole the limelight breaking the deadlock in the ninth minute with a close range shot in the upright corner while Zesco goalkeeper watched in disbelief.
Zesco looked more vulnerable at the back, allowing Libolo to create a number of set pieces.
Zesco could have levelled the scores but Jackson Mwanza shot wide while highly rated Idris Mbombo missed clear-cut chances.
Kaya came close to doubling the scores but his power header went wide.
It was a 50-50 affair in the second half but Zesco carried on producing blank shots on target.
Zesco’s equaliser could have come in the 64th minute but Fackson Kampumbu’s free kick was parried over for a corner by a steady Libolo goal minder. The corner kick by Kampumbu was well defended.
Another chance for Zesco came in the 68th minute when Davy Daka and Mbombo tossed around with the ball with only a goal keeper to beat.
However, Libolo doubled the advantage in the 78th minute through Kaya. Three minutes later, Libolo scored their third goal through a penalty after Dauti Musekwa fouled Eddie Marcos in the box. Substitute Fabricio Simoes sent Banda in the wrong direction with a low shot.
Zesco’s effort to overturn the result in 14 minutes was blocked by a solid Libolo defence. It was sweet revenge for Libolo who lost 1-0 to Zesco in Ndola on June 5.
By press time, Zesco was still leading Group C with six points.
Egyptian Smouha are tied on four points with Al Hilal Obied who are 3rd on goal difference and were scheduled to play in Sudan on last evening.
Zesco is now scheduled to play Smouha on July 1 before hosting Al Hilal Obied in their final group game on July 9 in Ndola.
