The 2009 Barclays Cup this weekend lost a potential big draw in the quarterfinals of this year’s tournament.
Division 1 club Nkana drew another big audience for their last 8 match against Choma Eagles at Woodlands Stadium.
Nkana fans out numbered and drowned-out even the followers of the Green Buffaloes and Assembly supporters from the lunchtime kick-off of this Barclays Cup doubleheader at Woodlands.
Even Choma coach Keegan Mumba said while his side might have won the match, had football been judged as a popularity contest, Nkana would have progressed to the last four of the years Barclays Cup.
“If it was an election, Nkana would have qualified to the semi-finals,” Mumba said, whose side beat Nkana 8-7 in post-match penalties after a 1-1 fulltime result.
Three clubs come close to filling stadiums thanks to a traditionally strong following.
Nkana easily lead the pack followed by Kabwe Warriors and Power Dynamos although Mufulira Wanderers are quickly fading in the distance as evident during their Week match against the Red Devils at Nkoloma last month.
And had they beaten Choma, the Barclays Cup would have enjoyed some near sell-out crowds should Nkana’s match continued to the final on November 21.
For now2, the onus is on Power who beat defending 2007 and 20908 Barclays Cup champions Zesco United 1-0 via an 89th minute goal from Simon Bwalya to keep the crowds interested in the Barclays Cup.
Results
Power 1- Zesco United 0
Green Buffaloes 1*- National Assembly 1
*Buffaloes win 6-5 pp
Choma Eagles 1*- Nkana 1
*Choma win 8-7 pp
Postponed:
Zanaco- Roan United (TBA)
