Zesco United downed mighty Al Ahly of Egypt 3-2 to pick maximum points in their opening group ‘A’ match of the CAF Champions League at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola on Saturday.
A brace from birthday boy Cletus Chama and a goal from John Ching’andu did all the trick for Zesco as John Antwi scored for Al Ahly.
The triumph was a sweet revenge for the reigning Zambia Super League champions who lost 1-0 to the North Africans at the preliminary stage in the same competition in 2011.
Zesco imposed their free passing game on the visitors who largely sat back in the half and occasionally coiled out on the break – on one such occasion, six minutes into the fast paced game, Ahly caught Zesco back line flat footed with defender Mtonga Kondwani being forced to bring down Ghanaian John Antwi on the edge of the box; the resultant free-kick by Zakaria was saved by keeper Lameck Nyangu.
Jackson Mwanza went down tumbling in the danger area two minutes past the quarter hour mark but Kenyan ref Davis Omweno was not bothered. Three minutes later sensational Cletus Chama who had a brilliant afternoon forced Ahly keeper S.Ekramy to superb save which resulted in a wasted corner.
George Ching’andu broke the deadlock with a fine strike two minutes to the half hour mark for a 1-0 deserved lead which only lasted for two minutes before John Antwi equalized from close range.
Chama then produced another stinging shot in the 36th minute but again Ekramy was equal to the task. Antwi had the last action of the half but his header sailed over the bar.
On resumption, Zesco picked it from where they left as they continued with their high pressing game. It took birthday boy Chama just five minutes to restore the Zesco lead with a close tap in from a corner kick.
Chama grabbed a brace five minutes later firing a low drive from inside the box after being set up by Ching’andu. Team ya Ziko bossed the proceedings as the eight times champions looked overwhelmed.
However, a defensive lapse in the 68th gave Ahly a lifeline with Antwi finding himself unmarked in the box; the 23 years old made 180 degrees turn before firing past Lameck for a 3-2 scoreline.
The game opened further with both sides hunting for more goals to no avail. As the clock kept winding down , the Coach John Lwandamina’s side looked to slow things down with Ahly throwing everyone in attack but Zesco stood tall to secure the three points.
Zesco who missed two of their top strikers in Idris Mbombo who was ruled out due to injury and Jackson Were who had double caution will travel to Wydad Casablanca in their next group match on June 29.
*Al Ahly XI starting XI*
Sherif Ekramy, Ahmed Fathi, Ahmed Hegazy, Rami Rabia, Sabry Rahil; Hossam Ashour, Hossam Ghaly, Ramadan Sobhy, Momen Zakaria, Saleh Gomaa; John Antwi
*ZESCO United XI*
Lameck Nyangu; Shemmy Mayembe, Ayo Oluwafemi, Kondwani Mtonga, David Owino; Cletous Chama, Anthony Agay Akumu, Mwape Mwelwa, John Ching’andu; Mwanza Jackson
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