Zesco United failed to make good of home advantage today when they were held to a scoreless draw by six-time African club champions Al Ahly a the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.

The end of the road could be near for Zesco in this year’s Caf champions League unless they can cause a historic upset in Cairo in a fortnight’s time in the second round, return leg where no Zambia club has ever won a Caf club cup match.

The first half was a see-saw affair with very little in terms of major goal action.

There was an antithesis in terms of tactics with the diminutive Zesco players preferring the long and high balls while Al Ahly, despite their imposing stature, kept the ball on the floor.

Zesco were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute after exhausting their substitutes when striker Alfred Luputa limped off just minutes after the team lost defender Billy Mwanza also due to injury and was replaced by Rogers Kamwandi.

However, Zesco did have chances despite their numerical deficiencies on the pitch when Clifford Chipalo and Kamwandi missed in quick succession in the 82 minute with acres of space that would have seen the take a vital goal away to Cairo.

Zesco kept up the pressure with striker Jackson Mwanza’s point-blank range header saved by Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud in the 87th minute before Portipher Zulu shot went marginally high two minutes later.

7 COMMENTS

Umwana Bucheli April 23, 2011 At 5:48 pm

At least they avoided conceding that crucial way goal! Kudos!
zedian in arusha April 23, 2011 At 9:06 pm

This is the end of the road for Zesco as far as champions league is concerned.in cairo they will be electrocuted…
Sikuñuzi April 24, 2011 At 7:42 am

Whatever the perception of the optimist, Zesco are going out. Only the late Chitalu-drilled Kabwe Warriors came close to getting anything from Cairo with a repeat goal-less draw; only to lose on the lottery of a shoot-out. ZESCO can start concentrating on the local league. Better luck next time!
Yambayamba April 24, 2011 At 8:40 am

I am going to be the only optimist this time and say ZESCO wins in Cairo. Mark my words. kakakakekekekekakakakake..ke..ke!!
Zuberi April 24, 2011 At 11:48 am

Though the coach was bubbling with confidence, before the game I was very skeptical of the teams performance having watched their first premier game on SuperSport channel. The team lacked physic and commitment. On overall Zambian soccer at club level is still declining mainly due to FAZ ineptudeness .
NON PATIZAN April 24, 2011 At 12:16 pm

zuberi, not football politics again. we are not interested.
PropaGanda April 24, 2011 At 2:54 pm

Zesco iwina ichungulo…………go get ’em boys!