Zesco calm jitters to go second

ZESCO player Jackson Mwanza

Zesco United crept into second place after a 3-2 home win over Red Arrows at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

The victory was a great relief for the defending Faz Super League champions after coming into this weekend’s round six fixtures on the back of two uninspiring draws.

Jackson Mwanza calmed Zesco’s nerves with the opening goal in the 1st minute before Winston Kalengo made it 2-0 in the 19th minute.

However, the jitters returned eleven minutes later when Arrow striker Francis Kombe scored his fourth goal of the season.

Festus Mbewe equalised against his former employers in the 65th minute.

Thankfully for Zesco, Humphrey Maseneko rescued the hosts from another draw when he tapped in a cross from Kalengo in the 82nd minute.

Zesco move up from 5th to 2nd on 11 points with a game in hand and are now three points behind leaders Zanaco.

Across the road at Dola Hill, Forest Rangers revival under interim coach Kaunda Simonda continued when they picked up their second straight win after beating Nakambala Leopards 1-0.

Fred Tshimanga scored the games lone in the 33rd minute to lift Forest out of the relegation zone from 13th to 9th spot with 7 points from six matches played.

Elsewhere, Nkwazi beat Nchanga Rangers 1-0 at home at Edwin Embolea Stadium in Lusaka while up the road at Sunset Stadium, Lusaka Dynamos and Green Buffaloes finished 1-1 in their lunchtime kick-off.

At Independence Stadium in Choma, twelve-time champions Nkana finished scoreless at Green Eagles.

But Nkana finished with ten men after goalkeeper Scott Ngokane was sent off late in the second half.

However, Nkana had by then exhausted their substitutes forcing midfielder Shadreck Musonda to man the posts for the remainder of the game.