Zesco United 3-2 Napsa Stars
Going into a season in which this team will be scrutinised like never before, this was pretty much the perfect way for Tenant Chembo to get things going and continue giving Zesco United Exco a big decision to make on what is next for this club this season.
Back at Nkoloma and again facing Napsa Stars after the game ended 1-1 on 64th minute on Saturday afternoon after a water logged pitch, Zesco United have the feeling of silverware in their fingers once again via a victory carved out of the type of resilience they have long been known for. But this will all be remembered for the bad choice of Masosa the Napsa Stars Goal keeper who decided to elbow Dave Daka at a very crucial period of the game.
He gifted Zesco United a slot in the final with that foul and Misheck Chaila wasn’t going to miss a silver plate penalty for Zesco to lead 3-2.
There seemed no way back for Linos’ side as this match entered its closing stages with Zesco United taking a lead 1-0 on the day and 2-1 in the encounter but Luka Lungu equalised for Napsa Stars with few minutes to go before the Masosa drama and he will look back and regret that moment of madness.
The league champions as well as Charity Shield 2017 holders had retreated, all but happy just to protect what they had and earn revenge for that defeat in the Barcklays Cup against the Napsa Stars
Previously that perhaps would have been enough, but not here. The men in blue kept going, kept persevering, and on 82 minute secured an equaliser on a close-range header from the former Power Dynamos player, Luka Lungu.
The end is that Zesco United will play Nkana in the final of the 2018 Charity Shield which is the repeat of the 2017 season were Nkana lost 2-0 via a logic Chin’gandu brace.
It’s worthy a final to look out for but the talk of this semi final will be the elbow of Masosa on Dave Daka which also infuriated the Napsa Coach who showed displeasure and pointed at that moment as the time the tie was lost.
