Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Zesco United coach George Lwandamina
Zesco United coach George Lwandamina has rued his side’s wasted chances in Saturday’s 2016 Charity Shield semifinal defeat to Power Dynamos.
Zesco played all the football but threw away a 1-0 second-half lead to draw 1-1 with Power at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on their way to losing 4-2 on post-match penalties.
The defeat saw Zesco relinquish one of two titles they won in 2015 and they must now battle to successfully defend the FAZ Super League crown for a third straight year.
“We did all the playing but unfortunately when you fail to put away your scoring opportunities you get punished,” Lwandamina said.
“Football can go any distance for one to get a win so for now I can just wish Power the best of luck.”
Zesco had at least five great chances to score before striker Idriss Mbombo broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when he turned his marker to fire in the ball on the near post.
However, Mbombo was guilty of missing at least two chances prior to his goal with the highlight coming in the 27th minute when he skipped past Power’s backline but failed to beat an inspired goalkeeper Joshua Titima who cleared his effort in a one-on-one situation.
Zesco also had the ball in the back of the net before Mbombo’s goal but striker Jackson Mwanza’s header in the 48th minute was ruled out for offside.
Power then forced the match to be decided by a shootout when Conlyde Luchanga equalised in the 84th minute.
It got worse for Zesco after the final whistle when Titima denied Mbombo and Misheck Chaila in the post-match penalties.