By KALUMIANA
KALUMIANA
At Essipong Stadium
Medeama 2 Zesco 0-
ZESCO United were yesterday left with a huge task of overturning a two goal deficit after suffering their first defeat to Ghanaian side Medeama FC in the 2014 CAF Confederations Cup second round first leg match.
This action parked encounter saw both sides start the match on a fast note but Medeama’s pace and power was class act above a Zesco side’s methodical build-up.
The defeat also marked coach George Lwandamina’s first defeat in the competition and his side will now need to score three unanswered goals to advance to the next round when the two clubs battle it out this weekend at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Medeama took the lead in the ninth minute after Nathneil Asamoah made a good run on the right wing before he chipped the ball over Zesco keeper Lameck Nyangu who was left riveted in his spot as the ball hit the far left corner into the net.
The home side had to wait for the 80th minute to double their lead thanks to Michael Helegene who scored from the spot after Theo Anoboah tumbled between Bernard Mapili and Bornwell Silengo and a penalty was awarded by referee Mohammed Raged Omar.
Mathews Nkowane, who came in for Jackson Mwanza in the 65th minute was closest to scoring but hit the post as Zesco went in search of an away goal ahead of the return leg.
Zesco would have pulled back an equaliser in the 18th minute but Mwanza, who was put through by Winston Kalengo, failed to make a connection as defender Koji Agyane intercepted the ball.
The home side dominated possession in the first half with Nyangu making a good save to deny Kwame Boahene doubling Medeama’s lead in the 25th minute before Zesco squandered a chance to level scores after Kalengo and Mwanza failed to make use of a Lazarous Kambole cross inside the box.
Lwandamina was forced to make an early substitution following an injury to Kangwa Chileshe who was replaced by Chileshe Kabwe in the 29th minute and Zesco showed some life with Kalengo’s shot saved by keeper Tagoe Munthari a minute later.
Zesco started the second half strongly just like they ended the first with substitute Kabwe’s close range shot saved by Munthari following a pass from Kambole in the 47th minute.
Kabwe was caught offside two minutes later in an attempt to receive a Kambole pass as Medeama threatened with a shot from Godless but went off target in the 60th minute before Nyangu was forced to make a save to stop a Boahene strike in the 63rd minute as the tempo of the game rose.
Nyangu needed treatment in the 67th minute after he made a brave save off a Anoboah shot after the CHAN star swept through the Zesco defenders. Maybin Mwaba replaced Kalengo in the 70th minute and he supplied a free-kick seven minutes later that saw Mapili’s effort saved by an alert Munthari.
The match was watched by Zambia’s Deputy High Commissioner to Ghana Rowland Mwansa and delegation leader Lee Kawanu, who is also Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) executive member.