The 2021 ABSA took off last weekend with quarter-finals taking center stage as four mouth-watering encounters came alive at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
Konkola Blades took their banter from social media to the pitch as they eliminated Forest Rangers while Zesco United needed penalties to eliminate a determined Kansanshi Dynamos side. The other two matches saw Lusaka Dynamos and Sensational Zanaco edge Prison Leopards and Kabwe Warriors respectively on post-match penalty shootouts.
The ZamFoot Crew now looks at the outstanding players from the four matches played over the weekend.
Owen Tembo (Midfielder-Konkola Blades)- The Konkola Blades midfielder was a breath of fresh air in midfield and made Forest Rangers midfielders run. He really controlled the tempo of the game and dictated play in the middle of the park.
Emmanuel Mwaba (Striker – Konkola Blades) – He scored the all-important goal in the game and made sure his team qualified for the semifinals. His hold-up play was also impressive.
Konkola Blades also has one player to look out for in the form Tolapa. He played just behind Mwaba. His movement off the ball was a marvel to watch.
Scotch Mwanza (GoalKeeper – Kansanshi Dynamos) The Kansanshi Dynamos goalminder made some brilliant saves during the match against defending Champions, Zesco United. He also saved a penalty for Adrian Chama which should have stood but was unfairly ruled to have stepped off his line but in an actual sense, he did not.
The diminutive goalkeeper also scored the equalizer for the Mabanga Boys.
Shafik Batambuze (Left Back- Kabwe Warriors) – The Ugandan midfielder put in a great shift for the Magnificent People’s team at left-back. His delivery was on point both on crosses and set pieces. He also assisted Akakulubelwa Mwachiaba for the Warriors’ first goal.
Moses Phiri (Forward – Zanaco) The Sensational Zanaco forward was fantastic to watch with his trickery. He tormented the Kabwe Warriors defense and also scored the Bankers’ first goal.
Match of the Round [Zanaco 2-2 Kabwe Warriors] – The best game of the weekend was the dramatic 2-2 draw between Zanaco and Kabwe Warriors, the drama, the goals, the antics, and everything in between just made it the game to watch.
Most disappointing team: Forest Rangers- The Ndola-based outfit was the most disappointing of the bunch as they just did not show up against Sharp Konkola Blades.
Coach of the Round (Chris ‘Mr Takatiko’ Kaunda) – Chris Kaunda edged out Lewingtone Mujembe slightly. ‘Mr tactical’ made charges that changed the scope of the game against Kabwe Warriors leading to the win on post-match penalties, well done Chris Kaunda.
Stand-out team (Konkola Blades) Obviously, this is an easy one as no team showed up to the party as much as Konkola Blades, they really showed up and made it clear they are a team to be taken seriously in this competition.
The winners of the tournament will pocket K600, 000. The runners-up will walk away with K250 000. The player of the tournament and coach of the tournament will pocket K25, 000 each with the man of the match walking away with K15, 000 in every match thanks to ABSA Bank Zambia.
