By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE At Trade Fair Grounds –
Zesco 3 Nkana 0
NKANA yesterday relinquished the MTN-FAZ Premier league title after suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of Zesco United, who went top of the table for the first time this season.
Zesco moved up to 55 points to open up a two point-lead over second placed Power Dynamos tied on points with Zanaco, who were held to a 1-all draw by Green Buffaloes while Nkana remained stuck on 46 points with three games before the close of the season.
Nkana, should they win their remaining three games, can only reach 55 points and have been mathematically left with a slim chance of challenging for second place to earn a continental place.
This rescheduled Week 12 match that was played before a fully packed Trade Fair Grounds, saw Zesco start the game on a high note with Nkana forced to suck the pressure.
With the trio of Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba, Christopher Munthali and Donashano Malama on national duty with the Chipolopolo in Niger, Nkana lacked steel throughout the game as Zesco grabbed the lead through John Ching’andu on 30 minutes.
Festus Mbewe would have restored parity but saw his 45th minute strike go wide to force the game into the break with Zesco in the lead.
Skipper Jackson Mwanza made it 2-0 after restart when he powered in from close range in the 55th minute.
The Nkana back line marshaled by Billy Mwanza could not contain Zesco’s attacking prowess as Clatus Chama sealed victory after finishing off Mwanza’s pass on the left on 63 minutes.
Zesco now lead the table on 55 points, two ahead of Power, who face Napsa Stars in Lusaka this afternoon.
Zanaco 1 Buffaloes 1
At Sunset Stadium, SHAMAOMA MUSONDA reports that both Zanaco and Buffaloes did themselves a disservice by failing to pick up full points and their respective crusades put in disarray.
Buffaloes, who desperately needed a win to climb out of the relegation zone, as usual started well going ahead in the 30th minute through an unlikely source in Allan Mukuka to give his side a dream start.
But Buffaloes went to sleep into the second half and their mission was undone when Zanaco levelled through their main man Moses Phiri before the bankers started chasing for the winner to take them top of the table.
That goal never came for Zanaco, neither for Buffaloes leaving the army side on 29 points but still fourth from bottom.