Zambian reigning champions Zesco United are through to the lucrative CAF Champions League group phase for the second time since 2009 after cruising past Stade Malien 5-2 on aggregate.

Two goals from birthday boy Jesse Jackson Were and Maybin Mwaba in each half sealed the double over the Malians who also lost the first stanza 3-1 at home a fortnight ago.

The high octane clash staged at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Tuesday evening, which also marked the first official champions league midweek fixture, was enthralling from onset to the final blow of the whistle.

King Jesse who was celebrating his 27th birthday crowned his day early in the 5th minute with a superb strike for the opener to animate the stadium, as an early pressure by the home side paid of.

The Kenyan international had another glorious chance to make it 2-0 in the 14th minute from a deadly counter attack situation but his first touch off Cletous Chama’s sleek pass from the left let him down with the ball rolling out for goal kick.

Stade Malien then took charge of the proceedings controlling the pace of game and enjoying massive ball possession – only that their approach of exploring the wings and spraying long balls forward didn’t yield much.

In the 35th minute striker Mamadou Coulibaly headed straight into the hands of Jacob Banda from a corner kick, before Diawara Bana blasted into the skies from a prime position seven minutes later.

Idris Mbombo had the last say in the half with a wasted effort from just outside the box for Zesco.

The visitors stumped their authority in the opening phase of the second interval pinning the Coach George Lwandamina’s boys into their own half, as they pressed for the equalizer, and it yielded fruit.

Moussa Coulibaly restored parity with a thunderbolt after pouncing on a loose ball from a poor clearance to make it 1-1 in the 58 minute.

Sensing danger, Zesco brought in Jackson Mwanza in the 66th for Were who had missed a couple of more chances; a move which instantly changed the tides for electricity men.

Cletous Chama should have restored Zesco’s lead in the 79th minute but he tapped marginally wide from Mbombo cross from the right with the technical bench already on their feet and an open net begging.

Maybin made no mistake in the 82nd minute burying another of Mbombo’s cross from the right to restore the lead and effectively seal the win.

Stade Malien were reduced to 10-men in the 84th minute with Issa Samake being sent off for retaliation.

@bonfaceosano

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com