Zesco, Smouha share spoils

Zesco, Smouha share spoils

Zesco United and Smouha shared the spoils in an intriguing Caf Confederation Cup group C match, with both sides staying winless in two successive matches, following a 1-1 draw on matchday five at the Arab El Borg in Alexandria, Egypt on Friday evening.

The small crowd which turned up at the 86,000-seater stadium was treated to a goalless first half in which there were few exciting moments in front of goal for either side, with both sides failing to register a shot on target.

The home side was the first to threaten through Hossam Hassan, who could only shoot wide of target after he was set up at the top of the box by Ahmed Raouf in the 5th minute.

Smouha thought they deserved a penalty in the seventh minute when Hossam Hassan went down inside the area following a challenge by David Owino, but Rwandan referee L Hakizimana ignored the appeals from the hosts.

With twenty minutes played, it was Hassan who saw his effort blocked and turned behind for a corner as the hosts pressed the Zambians, and from the resultant corner Ahmed Sayed failed to find his bearings with his effort from outside the area.

For the visitors, it was Jesse Jackson Were who sent two of Zesco United’s chances over and wide in the 29th and 33rd minutes.

In the 60th minute Ahmed Raouf forced a reflex save out of Jacob Banda from a close-range header following a cross into the area by Ayman Ashraf, and twelve minutes later he had a tame header saved by Banda.

Second-half substitute Mahmoud Hussein saw his effort cleared off the line by Lazarous Kambole in the 83rd minute and a few seconds later at the other end, Zesco United took the lead with Jesse Were’s effort, initially blocked by Ahmed Aly, deflecting off Yasser Ibrahim for the opener.

Banou Diawara levelled six minutes later, after he converted a penalty which was conceded by David Owino, who brought down Ahmed Manga inside the area.

With six minutes of additional time declared by the fourth official, Smouha gained momentum as they went in search of a winner, but it never arrived as Zesco held on for a point that took them up to second position with seven points in the group.

Smouha, on the other hand, stayed at the bottom of the group on five points, with leaders El Hilal El Obeid (seven points) hosting third place CRD Libolo (six points) on Saturday.