Kenyan duo striker Jesse Jackson Were and defender David Owino were on target in Zesco United’s 2-2 draw with Le Messager le Ngozi of Burundi to qualify to the pre-group stage of the CAF Confederations Cup.
The Ndola side went into the second leg tie with a 2-0 goals caution on aggregate and after a goalless first half, it became a goal galore there after.
The minnows gave Zega a scare when they went 1-0 up thanks to Emock Sabumukama’s goal to send the home crowd into celebrations but the 2016 CAF Champions League semi finalist hit one back courtesy of a Were strike after he connected a Fackson Kapumbu long throw in to make it 1-1, and 3-1 on aggregate.
Were’s goal came on the hour mark.
Centre back Owino had a goal a disallowed.
With less than 5 minutes to play, ‘Team Ya Ziko’ were stunned as Abdoul Amini saw his shot beat Jacob Banda in goal.
This could have been one of the biggest upsets of the weekend but Owino grabbed an equalizer in injury to earn Zesco a 2-2 draw and advanced to the pre-group stage of the CAF Confederations Cup.
The only negative from Burundi is that striker Idriss Mbombo will miss the next match after he was booked.
Zesco advanced via a 4-2 aggregate and could meet George Lwandamina’s Young Africans. Yanga is one of the teams which dropped out of the CAF Champions after they were eliminated by Zambian Champions Zanaco.
Zesco United XI
Jacob Banda (c), Daut Musekwa, Fackson Kapumbu, Kondwani Mtonga, David Owino Odhiambo , Misheck Chaila, Jackson Mwanza, Anthony Akumu, Idris Illunga Mbombo (Dave Daka, 76′) , Jesse Jackson Were, John Chin’gandu (Mwape Mwelwa, 81′)
Unused Subs
Lameck Nyangu (GK), Ben Adama Banh, Marcel Kasongo Kalonda, Lazarous Kambole,Bernard Mapili
Good job! Please do not relax!
good luck
Congratulations ZESCO. These small teams can be very stubborn in their ramshackle backyards.