Zesco United went top of the 2018 FAZ Super Division table on Sunday following a 3-1 home win over promoted Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The defending champions, who were second before kickoff, exchanged places with Green Buffaloes, tied on 28 points but separated on goal difference.
Jesse Were put Zesco ahead in the 3rd minute but Isaac Simbuwa equalized in the 15th minute to ensure they went into the break level.
Kabwe Youth did not disappoint in the first half and showed the same character they have displayed since Week 1 when they lost 4-2 away to Power Dynamos in a match they dominated but experience counted after the final whistle.
But Zesco roared to life after the break and restored their lead in the 51st minute through Lameck Banda.
Banda tapped-in the ball from close-range where he was lurking behind Kabwe Youth goalkeeper Boyd Namayowe after Were’s ball squirted between the minders legs.
Namayowe then pulled out all the stops to shut out attempts by Banda, Were and John Chingandu.
But Namayowe had not reply for Lazarus Kambole’s ice-cold finish in the 89th minute following some neat work by brothers John and Logic Chingandu.
Kabwe Youth stay second from bottom on 5 points after 13 games played.
In the lunchtime kickoff at the same venue, Forest Rangers rallied to snatch a home draw against Nkwazi.
Sebastian Mwansa put Nkwazi ahead in the 26th minute before Damiano Kola equalized in the 89th minute
Forest and Nkwazi stay 7th and 8th on 22 and 21 points respectively.
