ZESCO UNITED BOOTED OUT

Sun, 24 Sep 2017 09:48:55 +0000

…AS SUPERSPORTUNITED SAIL THROUGH

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

ZAMBIA’s representatives in the CAF Confederation cup Zesco United yesterday kissed dust after Super Sport United of South Africa eliminated them via a 2-2 draw at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

The South Africans came from behind twice to snatch a draw in the second leg of the quarter final fixture.

With the first leg having ended goalless in South Africa last weekend, Zesco United needed nothing but outright victory to progress to the semi-finals.

Despite playing in an almost  empty stadium, with only a few fans cheering the home team, Zesco started on a dominant note and were rewarded four minutes after kickoff when winger John Ching’andu found the back of the net, after benefiting from Misheck Chaila’s cross.

Ching’andu almost doubled Zesco’s lead 12 minutes into the first half but was denied by Super Sport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams’ fine save.

Three minutes later, the visitors’ goal minder was forced into a double save from Jese Were and Maybin Kalengo’s efforts.

After wasting a number of scoring chances, Zesco United were stunned when Thuso Phala beat Jacob Banda with a sublime shot to level scores in the 34th minute.

The South Africans never relented and 22 minutes into the second half Phala side netted

Zesco replied ten minutes later with a superb counter attack, which saw John Ching’andu send his shot strait into Williams’s hands.

The Ndola giants’ dominance over the south Africans continued and was rewarded when their Kenyan international Owino Ohdiambo found the back of the net, after benefiting from Fackson Kapumbu’s conner kick to give Zesco a 2-1 lead.

Owino could have scored his second of the day 35 minutes into the second half but he watched in disbelief as his sublime header hit the cross bar.

With only a minute before the final whistle, Phala stunned the home team again when he completed his brace and sent Super Sport United into the semifinals of the CAF Confederations cup.

The 2-2 draw away from home cheered Super Sport United coach Erick Tinkler who commended his boys for putting up an away spirited fight.