Wednesday, 19th April 2017
ZESCO United Vs Konkola Blades
Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
15:00HRS
This is a week one rescheduled game and Zesco introduces themselves into the Zambia Super League and most of the pundits have put them as favourite to win the league. They have successfully managed to find a way into the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup via a 5-3 aggregate against Enugu Rangers of Nigeria. ZESCO United without a doubt look good in all departments and its players are in song with one John Ching’andu being one of those players.
Its not the first time they will be playing Konkola Blades and this fixture has never been easier for both teams. In the last 20 games between these two sides, ZESCO United has 8 wins as compared to the 7 of Konkola Blades while 5 are draws. That alone shows you that this is always an interesting encounter. The Ndola outfit have scored 18 goals in those 20 encounters while Blades have 15 goals.
The last time the two teams met was in the 2015 season when Zesco won the title and Blades lost both encounters 1-0 that led to the relegation of the Chililabombwe outfit from the top flight league. In 2014 Zesco also did a double beating Blades 3-0 at home and 1-0 in Chililabimbwe.
The last time Blades beat Zesco was in 2013 1-0 in Ndola and that season they drew in Chililabombwe 1-1.
Forget about history these are different times and the two teams have evolved and changed fortunes , Blades are coming back into the league while Zesco are plotting to win everything worth winning on the field of play and the league title will be one of the priority this season. They have Zlat who says doesn’t like losing but am yet to meet a coach who likes losing. he has the right materials in Iddriss, John, Odiambo, Jesse Were and it will be difficult for Blades to stop all these players while Blades are still looking for a way of playing .
Blades beat GBFC last weekend and that is the confidence that carries them to Levy Mwanawasa Stadium this afternoon hoping to get anything in this encounter. Its a toll order for Blades as this Zesco side will squeeze life out of you if not careful. Without a doubt they are proving to be the best team on the land and it will show again this afternoon as they walk onto the pitch.
I think it’s too much to ask for a win on Blades against Zesco and the best they can get is a draw but even that won’t be seen. Zesco will win and make if a bridge too far for Konkola Blades.
My Verdict: Zesco United 3-0 Konkola Blades
