Power Dynamos eased through to the final of the Samuel Ndhlovu Charity Shield Cup after beating neighbours and rivals Zesco United in an entertaining match played in a hot sunny Nkoloma stadium in the outskirts of Lusaka.

The match began on a high with Zesco controlling the match with Idriss Mbombo missing a one on one chance to put Zesco ahead despite beating the offside trap   but his feeble shot was blocked by Dynamos keeper Joshua Titima.

Impressive Kenyan intentional David Owino stopped Patson Dakar from penetrating into the penalty area by sending off the ball out of the  goal area.

The last minutes of the first half was a balanced affair with both teams playing cautiously.The first half ended in a goalless draw.

On resumption,the Ndola based side started strongly with Mbombo and Mwanza constantly threatening the Power Dynamos defence with Keeper Joshua Titima constantly called to save the situation.

With three minutes into the second half, Jackson Mwanza’s brilliant header was ruled offside amid protest but a minute later Conlyde Luchanga’s goal after a neat solo effort was ruled offside.

Congolese Idriss Mbombo signed from Kabwe Warriors broke the heart of the Power Dynamos supporters when he beautifully calmed a cheeky ball that slipped in between the hands of Joshua Titima for a 1-0 lead in the 53r minute.

With Zesco leading by a solitary goal, Power Dynamos brought in Julius Situmbeko for Patson Daka .

As the game progressed on,Zesco coach George Lwandamina brought on John Chingandu for Mwape Mwelwa with Dynamos bringing on Emmanuel Chimpinde for injured Mathews Phiri.

Kenyan international Antony Agay Akumu who was impressive in the midfield was also laid off in the 76^th minute for Simon Silwimba.

With almost 15 minutes remaining, Dynamos began pressing for an equalizer with Luchanga and Situmbeko combining well but denied several times by Jacob Banda in goal.

But in the 86^th minute Conlyde Luchanga  danced his way between two Zesco defenders to send a screamer past Zesco’s Jacob Banda to level matters.

After the equalizer both sets of players continued to search for the winning goal but in vain.The match ended after full 90 minutes and three minutes of added time and straight to penalties.

In the penalties Dynamos Kelvin Lubanga sent Banda the wrong way before Idrris Mbombo gave advantage to Power when his shot was blocked by Titima.

Ivorian Bemba scored a beauty before Simwala restored parity with a well taken penalty for a 2-1 up.Nigerian Ayo Olafemi  scored a  feeble low shot for 2-2.Situmbeko put Dynamos ahead with the third before China’s shot was saved by Titima. Kasonde scored the winning for Power for a historic final.

The win sends the Kitwe giants  to the final of the Charity Shield where they will meet Green Buffaloes

Austin Oduor

talking African football