Zesco United slumped to the bottom of Group A in the Caf African Champions League after losing 1-0 away to Al Hilal of Sudan this evening in Khartoum.
Defender Usama Altawon scored the winning goal 9 minutes into the first half blasting in a shot from the corner in an marked positioned inside the box.
This is after some early pressure from Al Hilal who passed and bared down on an ill-at-ease Zesco in the initial stages of the match.
Meanwhile, Zesco didn’t really threaten Al Hilal and were second best for most of the match.
Zesco’s best player on the pitch was goalkeeper Jacob Banda who made half a dozen crucial saves thanks to some inert defending from the away teams back four.
Zesco did later improve marginally for the opening 30 minutes after the break but little to show for it in attack.
However, Zesco found no solution to their poor showing upfront even after bringing on other attacking options Lottie Phiri and Clifford Chipalo as an efficient Al Hilal continued to unsettle Fighton Simukonda’s side with their slick passing and swift movement inside the visitors half.Â
Al Hilal have 4 points from two matches following Friday evenings win while Zesco have 1 point.
The full complexion of match day 2 in Group A will be known on Saturday when Kano Pillars of Nigeria host Al Hilal’s local rivals El Merreikh in Kano.
Both Pillars and El Merreikh are on 1 point each after 1-1 and 0-0 draws away to Zesco and Al Hilal respectively a fortnight ago.
Score more goals and win all home matches if u have to shine 🙂
Zesco should be more careful in defending when they meet with the other team in the same country, if they are to be on the better side. Go boys go you know how play football and you can do it.
Well done Zesco. Still in contention
well i did not expect them to win. This is actually a better result. i expect them to win at home and last game at home was a disaster
lets not deceive ourselves- zesco is going no futher! with dat standard of football they need a miracle.otherwise never lose hope, we call it faith
don’t lose hope Zesco. you still have two home games ,just make sure you win all the home games and get a draw away. you are still in contention.
Ladies & Gents, you don’t understand more especially # 5. This place is damn hot. Tell you what temps here swelter from 47 to 52 degs on some days. the boys were playing in a harsh enviroment, be it morning,day or night it is crazy here. The day I landed at the airport I almost melted like icecream. The boys need a pat on the back for containing the pressure of being scored more goals. They needed to be here 3 months to adapt to the heat. Lastly here you can sweat as though you are under Kapoko’s trial. Bravo ZESCO! team yadziko, mukwele waka kumapolo**********
#7 I wonder why u blame the temperature. These same guys from north Africa they beat Zambian clubs at their home grounds Zambia.