•JACKSON Mwanza (right) receives the Players’ Player of the Season Award from Umbro director Donovan Bell, as Zesco Limited board chairperson Mutale Katema looks on.
Picture by KASUMPA KATAPA

By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
JACKSON Mwanza stole the spotlight at the Zesco United end of year party and awards presentation night when he bagged two honours including the newly introduced Players’ Player-of-the-year award.
The ceremony held at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Friday night saw Mwanza also pick up the top scorers award after scoring 17 times in all competitions to propel the Ndola giants to the 2014 MTN-FAZ Premier league title and Barclays Cup triumph, the fourth double in the club’s history.
Mwanza, who had a good season, scooped the players’ player of the year award after he amassed the highest votes from his teammates.
The awards night also saw striker Winston Kalengo crowned 2014 Zesco Player-of-the-year for his crucial role in the team’s success while Justine Zulu won the most consistent player award.
Defender Chishimba Changala wrapped up his successful first season at the Ndola side after he was voted the Most Disciplined Player-of-the-season with Cletus Chama winning the Most Improved Player accolade.
Three players from the Zesco United women’s team, who emerged runners-up in the Copperbelt women league, were also recognised for their display during the season.
Under-17 national team striker Grace Chanda claimed the top scorer’s award after powering in 34 goals while Ngosa Mulenga and Grace Mulenga won the most disciplined player and player of the year awards respectively.
Zesco Limited managing director Cyprian Chitundu and human resources director Morecome Mumba were conferred with lifetime memberships for their contributions to the club.
Meanwhile, Chitundu set the bar for the team higher by urging the team to deliver the 2015 CAF champions league glory.
“This year, I urged you to reach the CAF Confederation Cup group stages but I think you have all it takes to win the CAF Champions League and so George (Lwandamina), I implore you and your players to win the CAF champions league.
We as your sponsors are proud of you and look forward to investing adequate resources to make sure that you do not only reach the group stages but go out there and conquer Africa,” Chitundu said.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) executive member Happy Munkondya called for adequate preparations ahead of the CAF games.
“FAZ will continue to value the support of companies like Zesco Limited to the development of football. We would like to congratulate Zesco for their outstanding performance during the 2014 soccer season and adequate preparations are needed ahead of the 2015 CAF games,” he said.
Zesco Kit sponsors, Umbro director Donovan Bell and Investrust Bank representative Ackim Mwale congratulated the team for being crowned Zambian champions.