Zesco extend lead as Lusaka Dynamos silence Zanaco

Zesco United extend their lead at the summit of the MTN Super League to five points after fellow title contenders faltered.

And Lusaka Dynamos came out tops at Sunset in a thrilling encounter against Zanaco.

Zanaco 0-1 Lusaka Dynamos

Unlikely heroes Patient Ikamba and Emanuel Habasimbi combined for the laters headed 26th minute header to condemn ZANACO to their first loss at Sunset Stadium in almost 4 years. Ikamba curled in a free-kick from the right side of the Centre line to gift a chance for the short frontman to plant the ball into the net passed a bemused Racha Kola who was sitting in for sick Toaster Nsabata.

Earlier, Coach Patrick Phiri surprised pundits and supporters alike when he went for a team full of pace and industry calling on the likes of Habasimbi, Marvin Jere, Aubrey Funga and Mwansa Nsofwa to torment and flummox the disjointed ZANACO central midfield anchored by Boyd Musonda and Isaac Chansa. Box-to-box midfielder Remise Mussa found himself warming the bench alongside Luka Tembo, Ilunga and Fwayo Tembo.

Upcoming right-back Paul Banda was another hero when he nullified the trickery of Chipolopolo star Augustine Mulenga and later Charles Zulu to force the bankers to bank on LD mistakes and set-pieces. However, Ikamba, starting ahead of Lee Addy who played for Ghana at the 2010 World Cup, was a towering presence that snuffed off dangerous crosses time and again.

Chris Mugalu and Ziyo Tembo were both in inspired form but the Congolese striker, despite failing to add on his season talk of goals to confirm his scoring prowess as top-dog, toyed with the central defenders to force supporters into encores of joyful noise.

Despite skipper Cletus Chama not being on the pitch, the vociferous army of LD supporters conspired into a cacophony of football choruses silencing the few ZANACO supporters.

Ochaya showed again why he is the highest paid player in the league with a masterclass of dribbling passing and long ranges shots.

ZANACO’s best player was by far Isaac Chansa who breathed in life into a lackluster performance by the defending champions. Zimisile Moyo had a torrid time at left back with Mwansa Nsofwa making a rare start on the right side of the LD midfield with Aubrey Funga book-ending Mwansa on the other side of the midfield.

The LD win puts pressure on ZANACO, GBFC and Nkana for the last places in the top 4 with ZESCO pretty much home and dry as both FAZ/MTN ZSL Champions and CAF Champions League envoys.

FULL TIME: MTN/FAZ Super Division

Konkola Blades 0-1 Mufulira Wanderers (Guily Manziba )

Zanaco 0-1 Lusaka Dynamos ( Habasimbi)

City of Lusaka 1- 1 Power Dynamos (Jimmy Ndhlovu , pen)

Zesco United 1-0 Buildcon (John Ching’andu)

Nakambala 1-0 Green Eagles

The pitch was waterlogged and the match will be played on Thursday at 10h00

FT:Green Buffaloes 1-1 Nkwazi ( Chikwekwe |Chikwanda , pen)

[team_standings 12378]