Zesco United’s historic Caf African Champions League group stage qualification has left coach Fighton Simukonda speechless following Saturdays feat.
Zesco qualified to the Caf African Champions League group stage following a 2-1 on aggregate win over Malian club Djoliba by the same score line following a dramatic rally today at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
The Ndola sides qualification to the group stage of the lucrative continental club cup championships ends an elusive 13-year wait for Zambian clubs to reach the pool stage where US$950,000.00 prize awaits the eventual winner.
“Am too excited to celebrate and am just happy that we won and am the first Zambian coach to take a Zambian team to the group stage,” Simukonda said, who has been on the job since taking over from the successful Wedson Nyirenda this past February who left to coach Zanaco after back-to-back league titles with Zesco.
Zesco secured their group stage berth after rallying from 1-0 down in the first half with two second half goals.
Janvier Abouta put Djoliba ahead with a 41st minute header but Zesco replied in a space of 10 minutes after the hour-mark through Lottie Phiri and Enoch Sakala in the 66th and 76th minutes respectively.
Incidentally 27 years ago in Djoliba’s last meeting against a Zambia club, they also took the lead away before Power Dynamos mounted a comeback beat the Malian club 2-1 to advance on aggregate via the same margin in the old Caf Cup Winners Cup.
No Zambia club since the Caf changed the African Champions League format in 1997 has a Zambian club managed to qualify to the group phase of the tournament.
Five clubs came close at the second round pre-group stage led by Mufulira Wanderers who were eliminated by Zamalek in 1997 and later Power Dynamos were shown the door by Manning Rangers of South Africa in 2008.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Zamalek knocked out Nkana in 2000 and 2002 respectively while two-time African club champions Enyimba booted out Red Arrows in 2005.
Meanwhile, Zesco now await the final second round matches to be played tomorrow before the draws are made by Caf this week and the composition of the Ndola sides opponents in their debut pool campaign is known.
The African Champions League group stage kicks on during the weekend of July 17-19.
WOW ZESCOLO WAY TO DO! ALA UNO MWAKA TULEWINAKO CIMO. KEEP UP THE SPIRIT!
At last we have made it. More confidene, high concenration and no fear will be key to doing well in the group stages. Happy for Zesco.
BUT I THINK THIS YEAR, TULESEFYA IN FOOTBALL, WE WILL WIN A BIG ONE ONE MWAKA…IKABA NI SUCKER PUNCH.
Well done bous
well done boys
Where is Diallo? who thinks football is played with the coach’s mouth. Is he already mauless. He should prepare to be chased around the Airport by the people he promised Heavens and Earth, and yet he has even failed to deliver Earth. Chabipa fye ARROWS, although we still hold our heads high VIVA ZESCO!!!! VIVA YA ZIKO!!!
Good results and Bever give up and till it is all over. Prepare more Zesco and the tough ahead has just began.
yebo! “a zesikolo nchito yonyamula mapolo”a famous tumbuka phraise meaning general workers who carry electric poles.this is great news fo mother zed.surely we are almost there where we belong in african football.plz guys die a little fo mother zed,thumbs up zesco.
VIVA POWER-CUT BOYS ZIMYA MALI NIZIMYA NEIGHBOUR
Good bamudala, that’s what we need.
Zesikolo – kampani yama polo ya wina mpila wa chitanyu!
Great, let the games begin. ZESCO, remember the group stage is very lucrative…
Zambia has always produced good footballers and the clubs play good football. Its just a shame that our clubs aren’t usually able to withstand the tests posed by clubs from well funded leaugues. Against such a backdrop, its great to finally see a Zambian side qualify for the group stage of the CAF Champions League. I’m sure they’ll do us proud. Also, hats off to Red Arrows for yesterday’s display…
Zambia’s time has come…now qualification for S.A. 2010..Weldone Zesco..Brave fight Arrows
the sports fraternity is brightening up, hope politically will head that way one day.
Kalampa for life where are you and whats your coment? Remember that you insulted me one day. Have you seen what money can done? No money, no good players. Viva Zesco! Go boys go.
Please let the players earn what they deceive instead of bossed pocketing more out of blue., Atleast $2,000 each I hope.
well done boy natulange Africa mupila
Well done ZESCO and good show by Arrows. I hope and trust that this is the rebirth of Zambian football and the path back to our glory days.
COME ON ZESCO!!!! COME ON ZAMBIA….I SEE SOMETHING BIG….WATCH THIS SPACE…GOOD FOR CLUBS GOOD FOR NATIONAL TEAM!!! ZAMBIA NEVER SAY DIE!!!
well done boys. you have made us proud.