Zesco United coach Mumamba Numba is demanding his players consistently display the same character they produced in Saturday’s 3-1 Ndola derby home win over Buildcon at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Zesco rallied from one-down to beat Buildcon 3-1 in one of their most convincing displays in the league this season.
Najeeb Abbas put Buildcon ahead in the 7th minute with memories still very fresh for Zesco of their 1-0 away loss in Kafue to second from bottom Young Green Eagles on February 6.
But Zesco regrouped and punished the visitors’ defensive frailties through goals from Thabani Kamusoko in the 23rd minute plus an own-goal by Brian Mwila in the 48th minute after he failed to deal with midfielder Kelvin Mubanga’s long-range free kick.
Enock Sakala finished off the comeback with a fine effort from the edge of the box in the 90th after eluding two Buildcon defenders.
“We are very much happy getting a win after playing our friends and colleagues in a local derby, Buildcon, and I think this a game we needed to win because our aim was to remain and play in the ABSA Cup,” Numba said.
“And from the way we started our training after coming from Kafue after talking to the team, we saw a lot of positivity in everyone.
“Even when we conceded that goal, we saw that the attitude was still very positive from everyone and we knew this was a game we were going to win.”
Zesco jumped from six to third after the victory tied on 28 points with second placed and Ndola rivals Forest Rangers and are one point behind leaders Zanaco.
The result also secured Zesco’s top six ABSA Cup spot at the halfway point of the 2020/2021 season with 17 games left to play.
Zesco are aiming to reclaim the league title they relinquished last season after three consecutive successful title defences.
“Of course looking at the way the league has been since we started it has been very tight and competitive,” Numba said.
“They are no easy games. If you look at the teams that have come from the lower ranks, they are performing very well.
“So we just have to keep working very hard if we are to challenge for the title, we have to start winning games.
“We have to be consistent in collecting maximum points and I think that is what we have been lacking.
“If we can try and win at least five games in a roll then we will be in a better position to challenge for the title.”
