Super Division defending Champions Zesco United kicked off their 2019 league campaign with a well deserved 1 – 0 away win against Green Buffaloes in a rescheduled week one fixture.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the army sponsored side that finished third last season to represent the country in the 2018/19 Confederation Cup. Jackson Jesse Were’s 20th minute goal was enough to propel Team Ya Ziko to third place on the log in stream A.
Zesco coach George Lwandamina named a strong starting Xl despite Zega Mambo having a crucial Confederation Cup group stage game over the weekend against Nkana.
Quadri Kola was a thorn in Green Buffaloes’ defense and was unsettling the hosts with his play. In the 20th minute, his menace paid off when he went past Stephen Kabamba and squared the ball for Were who was unmarked at the far post and the striker made no mistake from a few centimeters distance to put Zesco ahead. This was his third goal in as many games in all competitions.
A few minutes later, Steward Chikandiwa produced a moment of magic when he tried to curl the ball from the left flank into the bottom right corner but Jacob Banda was equal to the task.
Ghanaian striker Rahim Osumanu nearly added a second goal after a lovely team move only for the post to save Green Buffaloes’ the blushes. The post saved Buffaloes for the second time when Sichone nearly scored an own goal.
Buffaloes did not give Zesco any serious problems, as they kept losing possession in the midfield cheaply. Clement Mwape who had an excellent game didn’t give any chance to Buffaloes debutant striker Michael Musonda.
Next for Green Buffaloes will be a trip to Kabwe to play Prison Leopards. Zesco are suppose to play Nakambala Leopard but the match will be pushed to a later date to pave way for CAF Confederation match against Nkana which will be played a Levy Mwanawasa stadium.
GREEN BUFFALOES STARTING Xl
Fred Silwamba, Adrian Chama, Stephen Kabamba, Chilimba Moonga, Gideon Sichone, Sebastian Mwansa, Mike Katiba, Abeauty Simazuwo, Jack Chirwa, Steward Chikandiwa, Michael Musonda
ZESCO UNITED STARTING Xl
Jacob Banda, Clement Mwape, Marvel Kalonda, Mwila Phiri, Shemmy Mayembe, Kondwani Mtonga, Anthony Akumu, Quadri Kola, Jess Jackson Were, Rahim Osumanu, Lazarus Kambole.
Lets go ZESCO lets go,am happy with your sensational and mature way of playing.