Napsa Stars Vs Zesco United
Nkoloma Stadium
15:00hrs
3rd March 2018
The second semi-final of the 2018 Charity Shield is on this weekend with Zesco United taking on Napsa Stars for the first time in this competition.
Zesco United is always a present team in the Charity Shield from 2007 and the only time that eluded them was in 2012 after they finished sixth in the 2011 season.
Napsa Stars on the other hand get into their second Charity shield after participating in the 2014 edition. Zanaco knocked them out at this same stage in 2014 via a 4-2 score line.
However, the recent cup encounter between these two sides will be the Barclays Cup semi – final of 2017 were Napsa Stars knocked out Zesco who were then the defending the champions.
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Here is the record of Zesco United in the Charity shield from 2007.
2007
Qualified the shield as winners of the Mosi Cup in 2006
Semi Final
Zesco United beat Green Buffaloes 2-1 with goals from Rainford Kalaba in the 6th minute and Dan Mutale in the 50th minute. Sebastian Mwansa equalized for GBFC on 13th minute.
Final
Zesco United won the shield that year beating Kabwe Warriors on penalty shoot out after a 1-1 draw after regulation time.
2008
Semifinals
Zesco United drew with Kabwe Warriors 0-0 in regulation time and were knocked out on penalties 2-3.
2009
Semifinals
Zesco United beat Red Arrows 1-0 after extra time in the semi final and lost the final 2-0 to Power Dynamos. Luka Lungu scored a brace in that final
2010
Semifinals
Zesco United beat Zanaco 1-0 courtesy of a Derrick Kabwe goal but went on to lose 1-0 to Green Buffaloes in the final. The game ended 1-0 Lineker scored the lone goal for GBFC.
2011
Semifinals
Zesco United beat GBFC on penalty shoot outs after a 1-1 draw
Nchanga Rangers were replaced as finalists by Nkana after a prior training camp commitment in South Africa caused them to miss the final.
Zesco United beat Nkana 3-0 in the final with goal from Kangwa Chileshe , Aflred Luputa and Innocent Mwaba
2012
There was no Zesco United nor Napsa in this edition
2013
Semifinals
Zesco United was back but knocked out in the semi final by Power Dynamos via a 2-1 score line. Kennedy Mudenda and Mukuka Mulenga scored for Power Dynamos while Kangwa Chileshe got the consolation for Zesco United.
NAPSA Stars also played their first Charity Shield and we’re knocked out at the. semi final stage by Zanaco. That game ended 4-2. Davies Mwape, Roderick Kabwe , Boyd Mwangelwa and Aubrey Zulu scored for Zanaco while Mathews Nkhowani and Spencer Ngalande were on the score sheet for Napsa Stars.
2014
Semifinals
Zesco United were eliminated 1-2 by Red Arrows with goals from Cletus Chota Chama for Zesco United and Dube Phiri with the winner from Shadreck Malambo giving Red Arrows a slot in the final. Nkana won that final.
2015
Semifinals
Nkana equalised in this encounter through Joseph Sitali after Winstone Kalengo had opened up the lead. The game ended 1-1 and Zesco won on penalty spots. Zesco Unites went on to win the final against Power Dynamos, David Odiambo scored twice with a third an own goal from Billy Mutale.
2016
Semifinals
Power Dynamos knocked out Zesco United and you should remember that equalizer by Conlyde Luchanga .Power went on to win on penalties
2017
Semifinals
There was a serious intent by Zesco United beating Power Dynamos 2-4 at Arthur Davies Stadium. They went on to win the final against Nkana 2-0 with a brace from John Chin’gandu .
2018
Back to the semi final and the thought into the Zesco players will be the elimination of the team from the Barclays Cup by Napsa Stars .
Prediction
Very difficult as it has just the start of the season and you may not know what the teams are doing. Zesco have kept many of their players a d that is advantage Zesco. I think they will be too strong against a Napsa side that will be descent for the season but not on this game.
Napsa Stars 1-2 Zesco United
Note: The winner of this encounter takes on Nkana who beat Zanaco 2-1 earlier in the week .
