Mathews Ndhlovu says early defensive lapse decided CAF Confederation Cup clash as Chiefs claim 1–0 win in Ndola.
An early goal from Pule Mmodi in the second minute settled the contest, with ZESCO failing to deal with a corner kick as the visitors struck at the first opportunity.
Speaking after the match, Ndhlovu expressed frustration at how the goal was conceded, insisting it was an avoidable error rather than a reflection of the overall performance.
“We made a mistake, they utilised it, and we couldn’t clear the ball,” Ndhlovu said.
“That’s how they scored.”
Despite the early setback, Ndhlovu felt ZESCO United controlled large spells of the match and were unfortunate not to take something from the game.
“We played football on the pitch and controlled the game, but unfortunately the result came out like that,” he added.
Chiefs nearly doubled their lead in the 25th minute, but Kabaso Chongo produced a superb last-ditch tackle to deny the visitors a second goal.
Ndhlovu was forced into a first-half double substitution, withdrawing Peter Musukuma and Vitalis Gantar, with Asoumou Derrick Obame and Mwanza Emmanuel — making his ZESCO United debut — introduced in an attempt to shift the momentum.
ZESCO pushed late for an equaliser and came closest when Amine Hiver fired a long-range effort that narrowly missed the Kaizer Chiefs goal.
The ZESCO coach also rejected suggestions that pitch conditions influenced the result, stressing that both sides played under the same circumstances.
“We train on the same pitch and we played on the same surface,” Ndhlovu said.
“The result shouldn’t be determined by that. It’s how you apply yourself.”
The defeat leaves ZESCO United bottom of the group without a point after three matches, while the victory moves Kaizer Chiefs onto four points, level with Zamalek, who face group leaders Al Masry later on Sunday.
