Zesco edge Sundowns in CAF champions league semi-final first leg

Jackson Mwanza scored two quick fire second half goals as he starred for Zesco United in the 2-1 Caf Champions League semi-final first leg win over Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.

The result means that the two Southern African sides will have all to play for in the second leg scheduled for September 24. A draw in Pretoria will see Lwandamina’s men coast to the final while a 1-0 defeat will see Mamelodi Sundowns through. Zesco United will also make it to the final should they lose 3-2 in the second leg.

Mwanza scored the opener in the 54th minute when he headed home from a cross by Simon Silwimba and added the second two minutes later with a deft touch to deflect Mwape Mwelwa’s free kick beyond Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Dennis Onyango.

In scoring he equalled Clatous Chama and Jesse Were’s tally of four goals apiece for Zesco United in the current competition. Only Idriss Mbombo, with five goals has scored more.

Khama Billiat scored for the visitors off the upright following a cross by Anthony Laffor with three minutes remaining on the clock.

Zesco United were without the suspended Chama but were good enough to take the game to their fancied visitors, with early chances falling to Were.

The Kenyan forward could have broken the deadlock as early as the second minute after being set up by John Ching’andu but his effort went wide of target.

Two minutes later Were was almost through on goal but was stopped by Nthethe.

In the 8th minute Were had another good chance as he broke through the Sundowns defence and found himself in a one on one situation with Onyango but the forward somehow left the ball behind to allow the goalkeeper to make a save.

The early chances did not just fall to the hosts.

In the 9th minute Percy Tau was kept out by Jacob Banda and two minutes later it wasv Tiyani Mabunda’s turn to force a save out of Banda.

In the 12th minute Khama Billiat was unmarked at the far post as a floated delivery fell to him but he sliced his effort on the volley.

At the other end Onyango was forced into a save in the 23rd minute under pressure from Mwape Mwelwa following a move on the left flank which involved Mwanza, Ching’andu and Were.

The second half started on a fast note and it took the hosts nine minutes to break the deadlock when Silwimba broke on the right flank, beating his marker before firing in a cross which was headed by Mwanza for the opening goal.

The second goal arrived two minutes later with a deflected goal by Mwanza following a free kick by Mwelwa.

With the visitors on the backfoot substitute Idriss Mbombo who had replaced Mwanza in the 70th minute could have put the game beyond the visitors but his close range effort in the 86th minute was saved by Onyango.

However, Sundowns were not to be denied as they turned defence into attack and pulled a goal back on the counter following a move which saw Keegan Dolly find a pass inside Zesco United’s half to Laffor who then squared for Billiat to finish at the far post.

FAZ