July 18, 2009
The Zambian Champions started this maiden league stage match for both sides with a lot of promise but were late down by profligacy in front of goal by their goal shy strikers. Zescolo or Zega as they are fondly known by their Trade Fair faithful virtually dominated possession in the first half with a lion’s share of chances that went begging.
The Nigerians who had been vocal in the pre-match build up scarcely looked like the side that eliminated Six time Champions Ahly of Egpyt en route to the group stage albeit via the away goals rule.
Had Captain Enock Sakala, Maybin Mwaba, Yonah Mwango and Clifford Chipalo taken their gilt edged chances earlier on the Ndola outfit would have walked away with a cricket scoreline. But it had to take defender Rodgers Kamwandi’s headed effort on 44 minutes to break the ice.
Kamwandi had a good game going forward on the right side of defence pushing up always in the absence of Jonas Sakuwaha who only returned Friday night from his trials at French Ligue one side Lorient and could only take a place on the bench until the second half due to jet lag.
His goal involved headed passes involving Sakala and Mwango before the potato shaven right defender rose unchallenged at the far post to put United as the static Pillars’ defence ball watched.
This was a game of two halves. The second half changed with the Nigerians dictating play and Zesco content to soak the pressure. But they only equalised late on in the 77th minute with literally their first real chance of the game. The ’Team Ya Ziko’ defence boasting of the impressive Zambia international Hichani Himoonde and Nyambe Mulenga in an unusual left back role had looked impregnable until now.
A throw in from the right had goalkeeper Jacob Banda clasping the air when he moved off his line for Hillary Chukwu to hit the scarcely deserved equaliser on the rebound after a Zesco defender had cleared straight into his path. Chuwku hammered the back of the net with glee much to the delight of a sizeable band of travelling Pillars fans in the stands.
In between, Jonas Sakuwaha came on for the injured diminitive Clifford Chipalo on 56 minutes to a standing ovation and showed off sublime silky skills that sent the crowd into delirium each time he was on the ball. He rarely put a foot wrong and never looked tired at all.
Late on Zesco could have wrapped up the match with Substitute Nicholas Zulu on for Jackson Mwanza missing a clear looking chance. Even the introduction of former Red Arrows forward Lottie Phiri for an ineffective Enock Sakala could not pay dividends as more opportunities were wasted by the strikers chief among them Mwango.
The goal scoring ghost that has haunted Zambian sides lately had struck again.
26 Comments on "Kano Pillars hold Zesco Utd"
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josef,RSA on Sat, 18th Jul 2009 6:12 PM
Too bad, i was hoping zesco would win…but all the same well done. work harder next time
vipack on Sat, 18th Jul 2009 6:19 PM
has sakuwaha secured a contract with the team in france? As for Zesco they need to work hard.
patrick on Sat, 18th Jul 2009 6:59 PM
Your overly biased report is a disgrace to the spirit of sportmanship,since when did a goal in a football match become an “undeserved” goal? an away goal for that matter,your team missed a gilt edged opportunity to pull ahead due to thier own mistakes,expect no miracles in kano from a team that has performed creditably on home ground,deservedly beating the former champs (albeit on the away goals rule),lets enjoy soccer and give praise when due and criticise constructively,nice website though,keep it up.
Matafwali on Sat, 18th Jul 2009 8:49 PM
This is a disappointing score line. I was hoping for a victory. You have to take care of business at home. Anyhow, I wish them all the best in the remaining games.
Justice Kafusha on Sat, 18th Jul 2009 9:15 PM
Whatever
Whisper on Sat, 18th Jul 2009 10:01 PM
Patrick, the goal was undeserved because Pillars didn’t threaten the whole match. They/you (I’m presuming you are a supporter) had 2 chances in the whole match. While Zesco dominated posession, chances, territory they left with a draw. That is why the goal was undeserved.
If you read the report nowhere does the reporter say that Zesco weren’t at fault for not sticking their chances away. On the contrary, he is critical of Zesco for not finishing your boys off.
The only praise that Kano Pillars deserve is that they escaped with a draw, partly because of Zesco’s inability to finish you off and your excellent goalkeeper.
Pillars might have sorted out Al Ahly in the last round, but you have to admit that they were lucky not to have been beaten more soundly by Zesco.
Btw. ask your team how well they have been treated in Zambia. I only hope that the hospitality is returned in kind.
Bill on Sat, 18th Jul 2009 11:48 PM
Please Zambian friends, try to score “UNDESERVED” goals. Can’t you ?
jc on Sun, 19th Jul 2009 11:52 AM
Friends,
There is a real problem with our strikers. For lack of a better word, we dont have strikers at all. This Enock Sakala guy is a real let down even in the domestic league. Why ZESCO have so much faith in him, I cant understand. ZESCO should start even looking to DRC for strikers, Zambia has no strikers. This is the problem even at national team level.
For perry Mutapa, there is nothing more to be excited about him. This is the guy who went to Europe in the late 1990′s and flopped miserablly. Now he is probably in the early 30″s. Should just work for his pension.
Rafo on Sun, 19th Jul 2009 2:03 PM
JC,we must not blame the strikers for failing to score,we shud also blame the goal keeper Jacob Banda he is the one who made that mistake from that thro-in.these goalkeepers,Kennedy and jacob they shud be taught on how to deal with free kicks and thro ins.other wise they
will continue let us down.
jc on Mon, 20th Jul 2009 2:44 PM
Rafo, That is true Jacob made a costly mistake. But if you dont score on five clear chances, then any mistake at the Back will leave you ruing the chances.
Gametime12 on Tue, 21st Jul 2009 6:52 PM
Rafo, That was the keepers fault no doubt about that, but when you play at home the plan is not to defend but to score a lot of goals. That does not mean the goal keeper or defenders should commit to silly mistakes. It means that even if they let one goal past their goal posts they still should have won that game.