Red Arrows have leapfrogged Green Buffaloes and moved to the summit openning a two point lead at the summit following a slender 1-0 win over ZESCO United.
Midfielder George Mandu came from the bench to score the only goal of the game and seal a hard fought 1-0 win.
The Airmen came into the match looking to maintain their unbeaten run in the league while ZESCO United were looking to revenge the loss they suffered in the first round.
Mumba Mumamba’s youthful side started strong and created majority of the chances in the first half but Charles Kalumba made sure it stayed goalless with some brilliant saves.
Logic Ching’andu hit the crossbar with a close range strike just ten minutes into the match. Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba then came close with his low shot expertly saved by Kalumba, the ball then fell to Enock Sakala Jnr who improvised with an overhead kick but again it was Kalumba with a quick reaction to keep out the shot.
Fackson Kapumbu came close with a nicely taken free kick in the 18th minute but again Kalumba produced a magnificent save.
Arrows also had their chances but the best of the fell to Twiza Chaibela who somehow failed to convert from close range in the 21st minute.
With two minutes to the break, Arrows had another chance, this time around Ricky Banda but he put his effort wide.
The match went to the break level and Chisi Mbewe decided to make a double substitution at the start of the second half with Edward Tembo and Diarra making way for George Mandu and George Simbayambaya.
The decision paid off ten minutes later as Mandu found himself on the end of a great team move to slot home from close range and put the hosts in the lead.
ZESCO United tried to push for an equalizer and Numba decided to bring in Pedro Miguel for his debut and Chitiya Mususu to support him but the Airmen held on to win 1-0.
The win is Red Arrows first at home against the defending Champions since 2004 . The win also means they complete the double after beating Zega Mambo 2-1 three weeks ago.
Arrows XI: Charles Kalumba, Nickson Mubili, Alan Kapila, Kebson Kamanga, Tresor Tshibwabwa, Edward Tembo (George Simbayambaya 46′), Saddam Yusuf Phiri, Alassane Diarra (George Mandu 46′), Joseph Phiri, Twiza Chaibela (Fred Tsoutra Shimenga 66′) , Ricky Banda
ZESCO United XI : Ian Otieno, Samson Mkandwire , Fackson Kapumbu, Solomon Sakala, Clement Mwape , Dickson Chapa (Samuel Sikaonga 32′), Chanda Mukuka, Logic Ching’andu (Kasoma Luwawa 62′), Spencer Sautu, Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba (Pedro Miguel 76′) , Enock Sakala Jnr ( Chitiya Mususu 76′)
