Relive Zanaco’s capitulation at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
Sensational Zanaco made life difficult for themselves when they lost to Buildcon one-nil courtesy of a Wilmore Hatembo sublime lone strike.
Zanaco started the match so bright with Chris Kaunda making no changes to the team that walloped Young Green Eagles 6-1 during a midweek fixture at sunset stadium with Moses Phiri initiating most of their attacks but they failed to get the better of the gigantic Tresor Njomo Ndjana.
Playing at home where they have not lost any match, Buildcon was expected to provide a tough test for Zanaco who wanted to cement the top spot going into their week eight clash.
The first half was like a see-saw with end to end stuff. Zanaco threatened with Moses Phiri and Baba Basile with the current superleague top scorer Roger Kola seeing little of the ball. In the 14th minute, Tonha of buildcon nearly scored an own goal when his header went at his goal only for Tressor to make a brilliant save and take it away for a corner kick. Moses Phiri made a pass to Baba Basile in the 18th minute which proved to be the best chance of the first half for Zanaco but the Cameroonian shot straight at Tressor who easily parried it away
Buildcon was threatened through the left-wing where Kelvin Owusu was a culprit of poor marking as he was given a lot of homework by Conlyde Luchanga who provided many through balls and crosses to center forward Kamal Jafaru. Another suspect of missed chances was Najeeb Abbas as the Ghanian had a one on one chance only to see his shot aimed at the far post shot saved by Racha Kola in the 36th minute.
The goal scorer of the only goal of the match Wilmore Haatembo was introduced in the 38th minute for Patrick Ngoma. The first half ended nil-all as neither side found the back of the net.
In the second half, Zanaco was very poor as they allowed Buildcon to get better of the ball. Overall possession was 51% for Buidcon with 49% given to Zanaco.
After asking many questions at Zanaco’s goal, Buildcon was answered in the 55th minute when Wilmore Haatembo volleyed from a rebound after an initial save from Racha Kola the Zanaco goalkeeper. It was the second goal in two games for Hatembo the Mazabuka town product as he seconds again in the midweek fixture away to Kabwe Warriors in his side’s three all draw.
Chris Kaunda the Zanaco coach made an immediate change taking off the league’s top scorer who also captained the team for on-loan Kafue Celtic midfielder Albert Kangwanda in the 57th minute. Seeing as nothing was happening despite the change, Kaunda made another change in the 61st minute taking out Ernest Mbewe for Chisamba Lungu.
With the changes Zanaco made none seemed to up their game as Buildcon continued to play better of them. In the 76th minute, Buildcon made a change of their own as they brought out Gerald Chisha for Emmanuel Mwiinde to maintain the momentum.
In the dying minutes, Zanaco were provided with a glorious opportunity to level matters only to see Moses Phiri squander the opportunity. To wind off the clock, Buildcon made their final substitution as they introduced Douglas Muwowo for Kamal Jafaru in the 89th minute.
Buildcon held on to their lead till the final whistle. This is the second victory Buildcon has recorded over Zanaco since 2017 when they got promoted to the super division with the first coming during the transitional league on June 27th, 2019 at woodlands stadium during a week three encounter when they posted a 3-1 win.
After the game in which the Buildcon goalkeeper who made vital saves was named man of the match. Chris Kaunda was disappointed with his charges and questioned their mentality saying a loss to Buildcon is unacceptable.
The loss means Zanaco drop to third place as Zesco United take the top spot while Buildcon has moved into the top four and now lies in 2nd position with 12 points.