Striker Jackson Mwanza on Saturday scored a brace to give Zesco United a vital home win in the race to reach their debut CAF Champions League final.
Mwanza returned from a two week injury layoff to fire two second half goals at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium In Ndola to hand Zesco a 2-1 home win over Mamelodi sundowns of South Africa.
All three goals came in the second half after a tense first 45 minutes that saw Percy Tau give Zesco’s defence problems.
Zesco’s nerves were settled in the 53rd minute when Mwanza headed-in Simon Silwimba cross.
Mwanza completed his brace in the 56th minute firing in a sublime free kick to beat Sundowns impressive Uganda international Denis Onyango.
It could have been 3-0 and lights-out in the 85th minute but Idris Mbombo’s seemingly goal bound shot was saved by Onyango.
Sundowns secured a vital away goal in the 88th minute when Zimbabwe midfielder Khama Billiat tapped in the ball from close-range on the near right post after Jacob Banda failed to deal with a cross from the left from Anthony Laffor.
Sundowns will host Zesco at Atteridgeville on September 24 to decide who goes through to the two legged final during the weekend of October 15.
Zamalek have their noses ahead in the other semi final after thumping Wydad Casablanca 4-0 in Cairo on Friday.
Zambia striker Emmanuel Mayuka was an unused substitute in that match.
Well Done Zesco! Good Luck for your return match!
Am proud of zesco. Well done boys
Good job.
Sundowns will lose again here in sa
But instead of defending ka 2-0,Zesco continued attacking thinking they would also score 4-0. At the time Sundowns were scored, there were only two zesco defenders at the back
Players took the coach’s instructions
Keeping the Enemy busy is the best form of Defense.
Zesco is out of this competi
tion. Sundown just need a goal to qualify .ask Nkana
Scoring draw will be enough to qualify ZESCO. ZESCO will be in the finals
I think ZESCO should be our National Team – just less 3 or 4 foreign players, and we’re home and dry. Their hunger and accuracy at goal is just what our soccer needs. Go Zesco Go – we’ll be there in PRETORIA!!!!
Zesco we need pace in pretoria
Banda be stady in goal not like ukubilima kwati ulefwaya ukwikata kapanga!Bcoz we want you to come with 3 point away from home and WERE when you got a chance shoot don’t underlate,that one is ur enemy kill him with a shot! i’ll b proud with a draw.Go Zesco Go!
Comment:game nature