Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
ZESCO UTD star Winston Kalengo
Ten-man Zesco United beat Nkana 5-4 on post-match penalties on Sunday at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe to reach the 2015 Charity Shield final.
The semifinal match was replayed on Sunday after Saturday’s scoreless draw was called off at halftime when a storm left the Arthur Davies pitch waterlogged.
Nkana’s loss also saw them relinquish the Charity Shield that they won last year when they beat Red Arrows 3-1.
Meanwhile, Zesco took a 1-0 halftime lead against Nkana through striker Winston Kalengo in the 15th minute.
Kalengo ploughed past Amos Simwanza and Given Sinyangwe to slot in the ball and he could have added a brace two minutes later but Nkana goalkeeper Scott Ngokane reacted quickly and saved his close-range shot.
Nkana were unfortunate not to have gone into the break level when Felix Nyaende sent his header off the woodwork in the 44th minute.
Nkana’s equaliser came in the 64th minute through midfielder Joseph Sitali who curled in a fine free kick just seven minutes after he replaced Claude Bwalya.
Zesco were later reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute when defender Bernard Mapili was sent off for a second yellow card before they held on against a fired-up Nkana to force the match into penalties.
In the shootouts, Nkana scored through Shadreck Musonda, Maybin Chishimba, Nyaende and Donashano Malama.
However, Nkana failed to convert their third penalty when new boy Josphat Kasusu’s spot-kick was saved by Zesco goalkeeper Jacob Banda.
Zesco on the other hand were flawless from the spot through Chishimba Changala, David Odhiambo, Ayo Oluwafemi, Justin Zulu and Misheck Chaila.
The Ndola side will face Power Dynamos in the final on March 7 after they booked their place in the final with a 1-0 win over Zanaco on Saturday at the same venue.