Zesco Beat Nkana in Copperbelt Derby

Zesco United crawled into second place on Sunday following a tough 2-1away win over struggling Nkana at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.

The Copperbelt derby victory over the defending FAZ Super Division champions moved Zesco back into second place and they are now just one point behind leaders Prison Leopards after 12 and 13 matches played respectively.

But it was a challenging Copperbelt derby to play for both sides on Nkana’s pitch that after every downpour leaves the Wusakile surface notoriously waterlogged.

However, Thabani Kamusoko put Zesco ahead in the 19th minute when he stuck his foot out to tap-in ball from close-range.

Kamusoko finished off the ball after John Makwatta’s initial effort was parried by Nkana goalkeeper Tanunurwa Shumba and Winston Kalengo’s rebound went inches wide of the far post before the Zimbabwean midfielder made no mistake on the third attempt.

Nkana equalized in the 54th minute through Ronald Kampamba on the rebound after a miscued header by Diamond Chikwekwe fell to his feet.

But Zesco clinched the 3 points in the 81st minute when Justin Mwanza chested clearance fell in front of an obliging Kalengo who punished Zambia junior international defender.

Nkana are stuck in 13th place after suffering their second defeat in three games on 14 points from eleven matches played with two games in hand.

In Choma, Green Eagles drew 1-1 at home with sister club Young Green Eagles.

Defender Boniface Sunzu scored a 14th minute own-goal to put Young Eagles in the lead before Shaderick Mulungwe equalized in the 23rd minute to save 13th placed Eagles blushes.

Eagles and second from bottom Young Eagles have 14 points and 10 points respectively.