Zesco United’s 2018/2019 CAF Champions League group stage hopes suffered a setback on Sunday away in DR Congo where they lost 1-0 to TP Mazembe.
The loss has left Zesco needing to beat the five-time African champions by 2-0 in the pre-group stage final leg on December 22 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola to advance.
The first leg, meanwhile, was settled in the 18th minute when DR Congo striker Jackson Muleka turned-in across from veteran midfielder Tresor Mputu.
Zesco’s best opportunity for a goal in the first half came four minutes earlier but striker Lazarus Kambole’s effort was intercepted by his Chipolopolo teammate and defender Kabaso Chongo.
And Zesco had goalkeeper Jacob Banda to thank for keeping the score line narrow before halftime when he denied Ben Malango earlier in the 16th minute and was again on duty to stop Muleka’s 30th minute effort.
Mazembe continued to dominate their guests after the interval and captain Rainford Kalaba twice came close to punishing his compatriots in the 64th minute when he sent his effort wide and the 76th minute when his shot came off the woodwork.
Zesco and Mazembe meet in the final leg this Saturday with the victor over both legs qualifying to January’s group stage while the loser will be relegated to the CAF Confederation Cup pre-group stage that kicks off next month.
Zesco United will win pa Levy Mwanawasa stadium and march on to the CAF champions league group stage.
Zesco is good. 1-0 fye.
@TDD. I like your confidence but plz be strong, don’t collapse on Saturday
Heading is misleading ba LT.This is a good result away at TP we should beat them at Levy also
1-0 is very assailable
IN DRC they still used WOODEN GOALS POSTS? kalaba shot hit the woodwork i thought they use Steel poles? ZESCO must loose in zed to motivate elections in DRC WE WANT PEACE LET THE BEST CANDIDATE WIN FAIRLY
ZESCO we will win at home and move to group stage
I hate these vi ma postings, of ZESCO will win, this one will do this. Why not just wait for the 90th minutes.
ZESCO will win ZESCO will win ZESCO will win and yes Zega mambo will win
Zesco stands a chance of qualifying. A 1-0 loss is not bad. Stay focused and wish you all good luck!
ONE ZERO IT’S NOT TOO BAD AS LUSAKATIMES PUTS IT ZENGA MAMBO TURN THINGS AROUND IN NDOLA
Zesco will have to win by any margin with a difference 2 goals to qualify. 3-1, 2-0, 4-2 and so only. A 1-0 win will mean extra time. The plan is to prevent Mazembe from scoring any goals
Zambian teams always a let down so many useless professionals with no proven background record.
Football is played on the pitch and not on social media. Let us wait for 90 minutes.
Football is played on the pitch not on the social media. Let us wait for the next 90 minutes of play in Ndola.
Anyoko, there are no steel goal posts in modern football, all those you see are made out of wood and not steel as you think. Takwaba ati inshimbi awe, it’s wood wood wood!!! Old Trafford wood, Anfield it’s wood, Camp nou it’s wood, Stamford Bridge it’s wood, bernabeu it’s wood, emirates it’s wood, san siro it’s wood, maybe pa chilata ninshimbi, lol!!
nkana is losing in tanzania while zesco is hammering drc side come zega mambo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! final score zesco 3 – tp 1