Sensational Zanaco on Sunday 8th September 2019 hosted Green Eagles at Lusaka’s Sunset Stadium in the 2019/20 MTN/FAZ Super League week 2 encounter which was brought forward due to both team’s CAF Competitions engagement this coming weekend.
A goal each from Chitiya Mususu and Rodger Kola in both halves was the difference separating the two sides after 90 minutes gifting the Bankers maximum 3 points edging the Kawale Boys with a comfortable 2-nil victory to boost their morale ahead of their International assignment this weekend away in Mauritius against Bolton City in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Both teams were going into this match having dropped points in their opening matches with Zanaco suffering a painful 1-nil loss away to Zesco United while Eagles were held to a 1-all draw by Kabwe Warriors at their backyard. This made the tie even more interesting as bragging rights were at stake with regards to who dominates and picks up maximum points.
Zanaco had better ball possession and commanded play very well from the onset and hardly allowed Chiyangi charges to utilize and convert some of the few chances they had.
Hosea Silwimba, Edward Mwamba and skipper of the side on the day Tapson Kaseba who hit the upright in the first half all failed to beat Toaster Nsabata in goal for the Bankers who put up some excellent saves to make sure he kept a clean sheet.
Amity Shamende and Samson Chilupe put up a great shift in the middle of the park while Spencer Sautu and Silwimba had an average game and were both replaced by Jonathan Manongo and George Chaloba respectively in the second half who could have also done better but still had nothing much to offer the traveling fans.
The determined Eagles defense comprising of Samson Manyepa, Gift Wamundila, Andrew Kwiliko who was playing against his former side and also Boston Muchindu was caught off-guard by the Zanaco strikers and their coach Aggrey Chiyangi blamed the loss on the mistakes at the back which he feels will be worked on going forward.
On the other hand, Numba’s charges were dangerous going forward from build-up at the back led by the Experienced Captain Ziyo Tembo partnering with the confident Belchance Makiese with the full-backs of a strong Jimmy Nakena and the overlapping Lawrence Chungu on the right and left-back respectively who made sure the backline is intact.
Kelvin Kapumbu and the creative Tafadzwa Rusike controlled the midfield and combined well with the speedy wingers Charles Zulu whose first-half corner resulted in Mususu’s goal and Guily Manziba with his runs almost scored but his low shot which went past Sebastian Mwange in goal for Eagles was denied by the upright.
Mususu and Kola enjoyed some great possession of the ball in the match and both could have scored more than one goal considering the other missed opportunities they had alongside Manziba and the tricky Zulu on the wings that were a threat in the Eagle’s area.
This result was good for the home team and their coach Numba Mumamba believes the experience was the key in edging a determined Eagles side by utilizing on the chances they had which made a difference in the game.
Zanaco and Eagles will this weekend engage themselves in the CAF Club Competitions with the Bankers expected to lock horns with Bolton City away in Mauritius on Sunday in the CAF Confederations Cup preliminary round while Choma based outfit will host Primero De Agosto from Angola at Lusaka’s Heroes Stadium on Saturday in The CAF Champions League first round first leg encounter.
