By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIA’S remaining envoys in the CAF Confederations Cup, Zanaco FC returned to winning ways on the local front after beating Kansanshi Dynamos 2-1 in a Week-18 fixture at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
Goals from Abraham Siankombo and Moses Phiri was all the Bankers needed to bounce back from their last home defeat to Red Arrows.
It was a disappointing result for Kenyan international Jesse Were who scored his debut goal in his debut appearance for Kansanshi Dynamos after the switch from Zesco United.
Zanaco had begun the match very aggressive and almost went ahead in the third minute but were unfortunate as goal keeper, Chrispine Chisowa denied Moses Phiri from breaking the deadlock with his dangerous left footed effort.
After starting on a shaky note, Kansanshi, the Solwezi-based FAZ Super League outfit recovered to dominate the first half and almost scored in the sixth minute through Were who directed his shot straight into goal keeper Charles Lawu’s grateful arms.
The Kenyan international also came close in the 12th minute with a free kick which went wide before Bruce Musakanya came close to stunning the Bankers with an effort which went over the bar.
Speedy winger, Abraham Siankombo punished Kansanshi with a 19th minute opener after benefitting from defender Mathews Mutambo’s clumsy mistake as the first half ended 1-0 in favour of the home team.
In the second half, Zanaco coach Kelvin Kaindu introduced John Sikaumbwe for Chisamba Lungu while Obino Chisala came in for Peter Kalota in the 54th minute.
Were grabbed his first goal for Kansanshi after converting a penalty awarded when he was fouled inside the box by defender Kapumbu in the 60th minute.
However Moses Phiri restored Zanaco’s lead after he rose high to beat Chisoba with a brilliant header in the 71st minute. The goal earned Phiri a man of the match award after inspiring the Bankers to a 2-1 win which propelled them to 25 points.
Meanwhile, in the early kick off at Sunset Stadium, league top scorer Friday Samu scored a penalty in the dying minutes of the game to rescue Buffaloes from losing their first match in the second round to Lusaka Dynamos in a game which ended 1-1.
Midfielder Kangwe Sinyangwe had given Lusaka Dynamos an early lead after scoring a long range strike eight minutes after kick off.
Buffaloes had to wait until the 90th minute to score the equaliser through Samu who sent goal keeper Danny Munyau the wrong way from a penalty won when defender Mousa Lemisa fouled striker Martin Njovu in the box.
The draw saw Buffaloes opening a one point lead at the summit of the Super League table with 31 points while Lusaka Dynamos remained stack on 16th position on the league table with 16 points. Today’s league action will see Power Dynamos taking on Konkola Blades at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe while Forest Rangers will play host to Prison Leopards at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Red Arrows and Zesco United will lock horns in an early kick off at Edwin Imboela Stadium, the same venue to host the clash involving Nkwazi and Nkana FC.
