Zesco United labour to victory

by Staff Reporter

Thursday Sep 23, 2021. 08:00

Zesco United on Wednesday laboured to a 2-0 home win over promoted Chambishi FC to begin their FAZ Super League title defence on good note at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

The match came just four days after a stuttering Zesco beat Royal Leopards of Eswatini 2-1 but made a preliminary stage exit from 2021/2022 CAF Champions League on away goals rule after a 2-2 aggregate score line.

Zesco carried over that average performance from the weekend into their league opener but the monotony was broken in the 24th minute through Tafadzwa Rusike.

Rusike crashed-in a left footed volley from the edge of the box after Winston Kalengo chested the ball into his path.

Two minutes later, Zesco goalkeeper Ian Otieno blocked Kelvin Choma’s close-range shot and defender Adrian Chama quickly pumped the ball up field.

Zesco also had a chance wasted in the 36th minute when midfielder Kelvin Mubanga fired another beautiful strike from the edge of the area only to see it come off the beam.

Otieno was back on duty on the stroke of halftime to denied Chomba for the second time when he palmed-out a close-range attempt.

But substitute Edward Lungu, who replaced Rusike in the 55th minute after the latter sustained a knock, extended Zesco’s lead with a find curler, also from just outside the box, after Mubanga rolled a short pass into the wingers’ path.

The only good news was that Zesco bagged the 3 points after a pragmatic start as they prepare for a very short trip across town this Saturday for a tricky Ndola derby date against Indeni.

Meanwhile, the result also handed Chambishi their first loss of the season who have 2 points from three rounds played and they host fellow promoted side Kansanshi Dynamos this Saturday.