Nkana signalled their intent for the new season as they beat favorite Zesco United to lift the Charity Shield at Nkoloma Stadium .
Seven goals in 90 minutes and specifically a brace each from Ronald Kampamba and Iddriss Mbombo ensured the 12 times super league champions forgot about the last two finals they had lost to Zesco United to win the season’s traditional curtain-raiser in a thrilling game.
Akum had given Zesco United the equaliser early on in the first half before Silengo scored a good free kick to give Zesco United the lead shortly before half-time only for Tenant Chembo’s side to lose the initiative and hand over the Charity Shield to Nkana in the second half.
This is the day Nkana sent a message to the rest of the Super League, a clear signal that the title is again going to be an interesting prospect in the 2018 season.
It was a rollocking introduction to the next 8 months of drama, disaster, heartache and bluster – a game packed with perspiration and a period of inspiration from Nkana.
Nkana were the better side throughout the 90 minutes , although the half time score line showed Zesco on the rise but that equaliser by Idrris shaped the outcome of the game.
For a long period in the second half, Nkana’s attacking play was rapier sharp, their finishing ruthless. Bestone’s men performed with unshakeable belief and eventually found a finishing touch to inflict defeat on a Zesco team bolstered again by Winston Kalengo who looks a shell of himself before his leave to Congo. But the force was with Nkana , as Bestones’s men demonstrated a growing togetherness and maturity.
Welcoming Iddriss into the team, He was a constant danger, his runs as sharp and dangerous as they had been in the dying moments of his Zesco United career last season but his none celebrating after he scored showed a lot of respect for his former team, Zesco United.
Nkana might have taken an early lead with Iddriss failing to chip the Zesco stopper early on in the first half. That was close.
When Zesco United went down 3-2, the quality Nkana had on show with Iddriss and Ronald Kampamba , and the firepower that came on from midfield was always going to be a long road for Zesco United. There was no time to pause for breath, however, as Nkana came roaring back.
Ronald Kampamba appeared to kill the game off as he scored his second on the day but Lameck Banda gave hope to Zesco United with the third goal for the team but Nkana held on to win the encounter 4-3
The 2018 season is officially opened and and the signs are there for everyone to see. This will be another roller coaster season.
Soka25east will be here as usual to give you the happenings in the FAZ MTN Super league journey until November 2018.
