BARCLAYS QUARTERFINALS 2018
Nkana Vs Zesco United
Arthur Davies Stadium
15:00hrs
We get to the second game of the first day of the quater finals were we see Nkana playing Zesco United in what is expected to be a final before the final.
Forget the abandoned game, this is a different ball game and Zesco United are in the celebratory mood after bagging theit 7th league title and how they wish they can do a double.
Nkana are a form team and they will feel they have the ACES to beat Zesco United in this one.
Let me take you down Memory Lane of these two teams in the Barclay’s Cup.
2007
The first Edition these two teams represented different divisions with Zesco United coming from the Super League while Nkana was from division one. Zesco United won the Barclay’s Cup via a penalty shoot out against Chambishi and Nkana was eliminated in the quater finals by Lusaka Dynamos.
2008
Nkana didn’t make it and Zesco United won and defended the competition in a final that they beat Power Dynamos with a 1-0 scoreline courtesy of Jonas Sakuwaha. They had beaten, Forest Rangers, Red Arrows and Lusaka Dynamos to get to the finals.
2009
Zesco United has always been in this competition apart from the 2011 edition , and the 2009 edition saw them play only one game against Power Dynamos and were knocked out in the quater finals. Nkana too participated at the same stage and were knocked out by Green Eagles (Choma Eagles by then).
2010
Zesco United were again in the competition and Nkana missed out. United went all the way to win the the competition for the third time beating Zanaco in the final 2-0. Alfred Lupiya and Clifford Chipalo’s own goal decided the contest.
2011
Zesco United missed the 2011 edition and Nkana were knocked out in the semi finals by Konkola Blades. They beat Zanaco 2-0 in the quater finals courtesy of Evans Kangwa brace .
2012
Zesco United particiaped and were eliminated in the semi finals by a Harry Milanzi goal against Napsa Stars. Nkana were not in the competition.
2013
Nkana were knocked in the quater finals by Green Buffaloes while Zesco United went to the semi finals and were eliminated by a determined Nchanga Rangers.
2014
The first time these two teams met was in the final of the 2014 edition and Zesco United came out victorious via a 3-0 beating of the Red side of Kitwe.
2015
Nkana missed out and Zesco United were knocked out in the semi finals by Green Buffaloes. Sebastian Mwansa scored the only goal of that game.
2016
The fifth time Zesco United was winning the Barclay’s Cup. Nkana was well beaten in the semi finals by Zanaco in a 4-0 scoreline . Zesco United beat Zanaco in the final 1-0.
2017
Zesco United were eliminated in the semi finals by Napsa Stars on penalty shootouts and Nkana didn’t make it.
2018
The second time that these two teams are meeting in the Barclay’s Cup and it’s building to be a rivarly of which team is greater than the other in the land. it’s a game were you can feel the bragging rights on show from executives, players and fans. The neutrals would have wished this was the final.
Zesco United has bagged the league title and Nkana looks set to finish second but without a doubt Nkana is the best team in the second round and they look like form is on their side. They have a good chance of getting this one.
Prediction
Very close to call and George Lwandamina knows how to play these games while Bestone Chambishi knows only how to attack and it maybe his biggest weakness in this encounter. Musa Muhammad though looks to be one difference that has sorted that one problem in the Nkana team at the back.
It will be close to call but I think all indications point to a Nkana win though we have to see how good they are in breaking what is probably the most outstanding tactical team at the back
Nkana 2-1 Zesco United
Up next. ….Green Eagles Vs Green Buffaloes
