The best teams in Zambia at the moment
It was a very good final and a game that featured the best teams currently in the Super League. It was like watching a sisal as the two teams shared opportunities as the game went on. It was going to take brilliance of one player to decide the game and it was Iddriss Mbombo who took it. Great strikers goal and worthy winning the final.
The pitch condition
Before the game there was a heavy downpour and it was clear that affected the fast game of ZANACO and the slow pace favoured ZESCO. Charles Zulu was not effective because his is the running game and we didnt see that in the slippery surface of Heroes Stadium on the day.
ZESCO UNITED took advantage and slowed the pace taking advantage of that and utilising Were and Iddriss upfront.
Defence
I think both defences lived up to the billing and cancelled out most of the sure chances that could have decided the game even in the first half. Ziyo slipped several times and his recovery was excellent while Odiambo was a marvel to watch going forward.
Midfield
I thought that was the most interesting part of the field to watch the game and in their for me the best player was Isaac Chansa and you could understand why Wedson Nyirenda still call on Isaac. His passes especially in the first half were excellent and of course he has lost his pace but he is still a match winner and very good for ZANACO.
For ZESCO I think the defence helped the midfield very much as they avoided keeping the ball for long in the midfield . You would also appreciate Iddris work rate dropping deep to look for the balls.
Strikers
This is were ZESCO beat ZANACO because the partnership of Iddriss and Were was very good and unfortunately most of the balls did not land too well for Were otherwise the contest could have been decided in the first half.
We all knew from the start that ZANACO wouldn’t rely on top man for goals and it was confirmed in the game.
The two goal keepers were also excellent but truth be said Toaster was better than Jacob Banda. The positioning of JB in the first half almost cost the team a goal but he reacted swiftly to make what I called the save of the game from Roderick Kabwe.
Good game.
Going forward
ZANACO will be playing the CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE in 2017 and what i saw yesterday was a team that I think will do well but some additions needs to be made. They have a team and two more strikers added would be very good for ZANACO.
ZESCO will have to fight for that second spot to test the waters of CAF CONFEDERATION CUP and they are gaining experience game after game but I don’t think they will have to rely on TC. Good job in the final but more is needed.
These two teams are better placed to represent Zambia.
