BARCLAYS CUP AND ZESCO /KITWE UNITED STATS IN THE SUPER LEAGUE
Kitwe United Vs Zesco United
Nkana Stadium
15:00hrs
Beckoning on our hands is an iinteresting fixture that we could borrow from the biblical story and tempt to call it Goliath vs David. But could this really be the case? Thats the story upon Kitwe United v Zesco United. Its a twist of history at play.
A closer look at were Zesco has been in recent games, Kitwe United will fancy their chances that this is the right time to play the five times Barclays Cup champions.
Kitwe United is one of the most supported teams in the country and statistics say they could actually have more supporters in Kitwe than Power Dynamos and quite a substantial number of the teams in the super league Zesco United included. But that is a topic for another day.
Playing Zesco United in Kitwe is another stimuli for Kitwe United and Zlat and his boys should be weary of that.
Kitwe United have been in the lower leagues for some time having played in the 2002 Super league and in that season finished seventh. In that season they beat teams like Kabwe Warriors , Nkana and Zamsure.
Chisala Mwandama was the top scorer that season for Kitwe United and hence as a team they have that experience to rub shoulders with the big teams of today.
Rotson Kilambe of Zanaco and Zacchariah Simukonda of Red Arrows finished as top scorers with 17 goals that season but Kitwe United was hot.
In 2003 Kitwe United improved their position from seventh to sixth and again finishing above Nkana and Red Arrows interestingly. That showed its pedegree..
In 2004 Zesco joined the super league and drew the first round game with United 0-0 and in the second game Zesco beat Kitwe United 2-0 with Kelvin Muzungu and Bruce Banda getting the goals for the Ndola outfit. United finished eighth that season with Zesco United getting to 6th.
In 2005 , Jack Ngambi own goal gifted Zesco United the win in the first encounter against Kitwe United .
In the second game it was another victory for Zesco United and the first double over Kitwe United. Japhet Makai and Justin Mwilima scored for Zesco United while Mabvuto Zulu got a consolation for Kitwe United.
Kitwe United would then survive another season but would finally get demoted from the super league in 2006 .
They are in the fight to come back in the elite league and come into this fixture as league leaders of Zone two with stiff competition being given by Indeni and Kansanshi Dynamos.
We roll the time is 2017 Barclays Cup , its the last quarter final encounter and the winner will join ZANACO, Lusaka Dynamos and Napsa Stars in the semi finals .
A big game for Zesco United as everyone will understand if Kitwe United lose but a loss for Zesco United will be a big shock. Kitwe United have nothing to lose and will enjoy the freedom in Nkana stadium.
My view is that Zesco United have a lot of quality to call upon in this encounter and will be hoping to restore some pride in with their faithful but Kitwe United will push the record holders of the Barclays Cup.
Am seeing one winner and that is Zesco United but it will be an interesting encounter. I don’t see Zesco giving up the trophy they won last season to Kitwe United. But I think Kitwe will score .
Prediction : Kitwe United 1-2 Zesco United.
