Samuel “Zoom” Ndhlovu Memorial Cup
The season is close at hand and teams are set and ready for the Charity Shield which is a traditional opening of the soccer season in Zambia. As usual, the four suspects of ZANACO, league Champions, Zesco United, Barclay’s Cup winners , Power Dynamos, defenders of the Charity Shield and Nkana third place last season in the league walk on to the pitch for a fight in this year’s final of the Charity Shield.
Before I take you through in this years semi finals , allow me to remind you of last years action in this seasonal opener games;
Semifinals
Feb 20, Nkoloma Stadium, Lusaka
Zanaco 0-1 Green Buffaloes
The lone goal from Friday Samu 41 put Green Buffaloes in the semi finals.
Zesco United 1-1 Power Dynamos
Idriss Mbombo scored in the 54th minute but Conlyde Luchanga equalised in the 84th minute and Power went on to win 2-4 on penalties .
Final
Mar 9, Nkoloma Stadium, Lusaka
Power Dynamos 1-0 Green Buffaloes
The final was decided by one goal by Larry Bwalya in the 77the minute.
History line
This will be the 51st Charity Shied edition in Zambia and it was named officially as Samuel “Zoom” Ndhlovu Memorial Cup in 2003.
Nkana still count as record winners on 15 titles while Kabwe Warriors have won it 7 times . Power Dynamos will be looking for their seventh in this years tournament but the history states that every time Power Dynamos has won the Charity Shield , they have failed to win the league.
Green Buffaloes (not in this tournament this year) are the runners up of the 2016 version and have won it five times .
The legendary cup fighters in Mufulira Wanderers now under achievers at the current state remain on four titles and they last won it in 1977 and that year they defended it after winning it again in 1976.
Three teams have won it on three occasions namely Nchanga Rangers, Zesco and ZANACO. Two of these teams are in this year’s tournament and whoever wins if among the two will beat the other on the number of titles and join Mufulira Wanderers on four.
Red Arrows have won it twice while Ndola United and Vitaform United both of Ndola counts one each
2017
We are ready for the 2017 edition and I will be giving you the previews of the semi finals later in the day as we prepare for that highly anticipated 2017 Zambia Soccer season!!!!!
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