By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE At Trade Fair Grounds –
Zesco 3 Warriors 1
ZESCO United won their fourth league title after beating and relegating Kabwe Warriors on a dramatic last day of the season which saw Zanaco thrashed away at Red Arrows to miss out on a continental place to Power Dynamos.
For their 2014 league achievement, Zesco are assured of a K250,000 winners cheque with Power getting K150,000 for being runners-up.
The emphatic victory sees Zesco finish two points clear at the top on 59 points followed by Power and Zanaco in second and third place, respectively while former champions Nkana, who take on National Assembly today, will end in fourth position.
Zesco have now won the league for a fourth time, having lifted the trophy in 2007, 2008 and 2010.
While ‘Zega’, as Zesco is fondly known, were celebrating their Week 30 triumph and qualifying for the CAF Champions League next season, once-upon-a-time ‘Magnificent’ Kabwe Warriors were left with excruciating reality of playing in the second tier of Zambian league football.
Striker Winston Kalengo grabbed a brace in six minutes to put the Ndola giants on track as they dominated play in this encounter played before a packed Trade Fair Grounds.
Kalengo broke the deadlock on 35 minutes when he wriggled through the Warriors’ defence unchallenged before he fired past William Chibale to put his side ahead.
The visitors never looked like a side needing a reply as they allowed Kalengo to complete his brace in almost a similar fashion in the 41st minute, much to the amusement of the fans.
Maybin Mwaba’s clinical finish in the 45th minute was disallowed for offside by Mufulira referee Audrick Nkole as Zesco went into the break with a two-goal cushion.
The second half saw Warriors step up their game with Jacob Phiri powering home from a long range strike that caught Zesco shot stopper Jacob Banda off guard.
Brian Mwila would have restored parity in the 82nd minute but could only to see his powerful header hit the post before substitute Simon Silwamba dashed Warriors’ hopes of a comeback when he tapped in a Cletus Chota’s pass seven minutes later.
Power 1 Nakambala 0
Power Dynamos edged Nakambala Leopards to finish second on the log thanks to their superior goal difference over Zanaco to play continental football next year, reports KALUMIANA KALUMIANA at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Ignatius Lwipa headed in Kennedy Mudenda’s cross from the right in the 41st minute to see Power finish two points behind Zesco. This is Power’s first second place finish since 2012 while Nakambala survived relegation thanks to Warriors’ defeat to finish on 36 points.
Arrows 4 Zanaco 0
Zanaco gave away a golden opportunity to win the league title in the most spectacular fashion seen in years after losing to a spirited Red Arrows who also beat relegation, reports SHAMAOMA MUSONDA from Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Leading the log by a point on 57 points going into this game and playing a team that has flirted with relegation, Zanaco were expected to overrun the struggling side but their strikers forgot their scoring boots home and looked like they were playing under protest.
After a barren first half, Zanaco, who have been leaders for most parts of this season, were hit for three in a second half by an Arrows surge propelled by substitute Stanley Nshimbi.
With news filtering in that second-placed Zesco as well as third-placed Power were leading, Zanaco seemed just deflated as even continental football was fast eluding them and ended up being relegated to third finish having enjoyed top place 90 minutes earlier.
Bruce Musakanya started the damage with a well headed 50th minute strike off a cross from Nshimbi, who later turned from provider to scorer in the 65th minute after clinically finishing with his weaker right foot from inside the box.
Striker Francis Kombe confirmed the direction of the league’s title in the 75th minute with a well taken header before Patrick Ngoma scored the fourth in the 90th minute with good a solo effort.
Buffaloes 3 Indeni 0
Across Lusaka at Woodlands Stadium, SANDRA MWILA reports that Green Buffaloes did what was required of them by beating already demoted Indeni to survive relegation after finishing on 36 points, two above Division One-bound Warriors.
Midfielder Sebastian Mwansa started the rout at the stroke of half before Felix Sunzu junior doubled the lead in the 70th minute with Kennedy Chola out ice on the cake converting a 85th minute penalty.
Eagles 1 Napsa 1
At the Independence Stadium in Choma, NCHIMUNYA MUGANYA reports that Tresford Mhango scored a 42nd minute goal as Green Eagles were held to a draw by Napsa Stars. Napsa finished fourth with position 49 points while Eagles went to 38 points.
Blades 0 Roan 2
Demoted Roan United wrapped up the season with an away win over Konkola Blades at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.
Goals from Arthur Kaseloki and Joseph Sakala handed bottom placed Roan their last win heading to Division One North football next season.
Rangers 3 Mine Police 1
Nchanga Rangers consolidated their sixth place finish after a home win over demoted Konkola Mine Police at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola in a match all four goals came in the second half.
Rangers scored through Patrick Kabamba, Patrick Musonda and Nawa Nawa while Ronald Chibwe scored Mine Police consolation goal.
Playing today:
National Assembly v Nkana