Zesco United have put one foot into the CAF Champions League group stage after they beat Stade Malian 3 – 1 away in Bamako.
The Zambia champions came from behind to win with goals from Mwape Mwelwa and a brace from deadly striker Idriss Mbombo.
Coach George Lwandamina gave Kondwani Mtonga his first game of the season since his return from a short stint in India as replacement for suspended defender David Owino while Mwape replaced Clatous Chama in midfield.
Zesco started well with Mwape close when his shot came off the post in the 12th minute but it was the host team that went ahead in the 18th minute,
Mwape equalized in the 44th minute for the two teams to go in the break level.
Mbombo gave Zesco the lead in the 75th minute after benefiting from substitute Jackson Mwanza who came in for Jesse Were who was injured in the first half.
The Congolese striker put the game beyond the reach of the Malian in the 84th minute.
Zesco overcame Al Ghazala Wau FC of South Sudan in the preliminary round before eliminating AC Horoya of Guinea in the first round via 3 – 0 and 4 – 3 aggregate scorelines in the respective
The two teams meet in Ndola in the return leg on Tuesday 19th April, 2016.
Stade Malien v Zesco United XI
Jacob Banda, Daut Musekwa, Kondwani Mtonga, Simon Silwimba, Ben Adama Banh, Misheck Chaila, Anthony Agaye Akumu, Mwape Mwelwa, Jesse Jackson Were (Jackson Mwanza), Idris Ilunga Mbombo, John Chingandu (Matthews Nkhowani)
Nice one ba Zesco we r proud of u. That mbombo shud b granted citizenship.
My thoughts as well.
ZANACO cannot go anywhere in CAF games. These “yo” boys don’t have the mental strength for such games! They are in comfort zone and they have no ambition whatsoever! Can anyone point at one player from ZANACO who left Zambia and made it in recognized league! They even fail in SA.
Job well done for Zesco. Go on and conquer. Meanwhile lets scoop this Idris Mbombo guy. He did wonders at Warriors and he continues doing his thing at Zesco. Lets get Idris for Zambia. Give him citizenship, a fast track one so he can start playing for Zambia in the coming qualifiers. The Belgians and the French do this everyday. Lets do it, its allowed.
That guy Idriss, is destined for Europe. He is just using Zambia as a stepping stone. Congrats to him, and to ZESCO, and of course A Big One to my team, ze Walya
I was the first one to call for this guy to be given the zambian citizenship but some people on this blog here said we have many players in his position.this guy is deadly let’s give him the citizenship and they is nothing wrong in trying him
Zesco united have a good team winning away in west africa is not an easy thing.they should complete the job in ndola and they should not under rate this team in ndola otherwise job well done
Team yamoto = I love the combination of local and professional guys in the team. Its a good competition given to the local guys. remember its english or spanish players who spice up things for the those leagues but foreigners. Professional at club level are good for football pa zed.
Job well done to zega mambo finish off with a hand some score line. indeed Idriss mbombo was n is a great acquisition. go zega go.
Zesco has got a great team, Full of experienced international players som of whom hv played @ th afcon b4. These are th benefits of combining great foreign talent with great ‘chimpombwa product’ local talent. Shuld thy burry th home game with more than 2 goals, I see them goin as far as th semi finals.
The Malians were WIRED,SHORT-CIRCUTED and ELECTROCUTED. ZEGA MAMBO,AMALAITI UNITED!! Bazimandola are bad news. Congrats guys, keep it up!!
Tell them!
Congrats Zesco on the Mali job. Never easy to get a win in that end of Africa.
Don’t be complacent job not finished.
Good news indeed! Idriss reminds me of impact Mwanza Tshikala had on Muf Wanderers team in the late 70’s
Impressive result Zega, winning away from home is not easy on the Continent.
plz those with chicken’s number let them tell him to offer mbombo dual citizen ship and future for Zambia in the qualifyers. kalengo and mbombo upfront it will be deadly. kalaba ,chisamba,sinkala and fwayo my mid and in defence chongo,mbola,Munthali and sunzu. impact players c katongo, lubambo and MBESUMA. guys or ngu Germany we can beat them pa world cup.
Viva Zesco. Load shedding even away from home.
Congrats Zesco!!this is how it should be than rubbish football played by zanaco!!YES LET FAZ MOVE FAST AND CAPTURE THE SERVICES OF THIS IDRISS MBOMBO!!HE IS A VERY GOOD STRIKER THAN CONLYDE LUCHANGA OR PATSON DAKA WHOM KALUSHA BWALYA’S FAZ FORCED INTO CHIPOLOPOLO!!
Ba Kamanga I’d u are following this blog…Please offer citizenship to Idris Mbombo. …engage the Minister of sport to make the necessary arrangements
Congratulation Zesco,at Least U Are Puting Zambia Were It Belongs.Cosafa Has Invited Drc 4 A Tournament As Guest Team.
Exciting news for Zambia. But Chicken’s Assistants should up their skills. Zega was almost booted out in Guinea!
plz keep up the good work don’t say you won, work on your weaknesses and strengthen your positive result.
plz we need a new coach a foreign one and this does not mean we don’t trust what we have but football needs different ingredients so try somewhere for change
for the national team,