Zesco drop to bottom after loss to Al Hilal

Al Hilal 3 – 1 Zesco (Musa 10′, Ahmed 36’, Abdel 65’| Kambole 38′)

Zesco United dropped to the bottom of Group C of the CAF Confederation Cup group stage after suffering a 3 – 1 lossin Sudan against Al Hilal.

The Zambian champions will have themselves to blame for some poor goalkeeping and failure to convert chances for the loss which has seen them now go three games without a win.

Coach George Lwandamina had to contend with the absence of Kondwani Mtonga and Mwila Phiri who were suspended for the game; but Misheck Chaila and Shemmy Mayembe who were brought in to fill for the two respectively seemed up to the task.

The first real chance of the game fell to Zesco United in the 10th minute when Lazarous Kambole run on to a ball with only the keeper to beat but he shot wide.

Al Hilal took the lead a minute later when Musa controlled a long ball with his head and outpaced his marker to shoot home past Jacob Banda who could have cleared had he rushed off his line.

The home side extended the lead in the 36th minute when a deflected shot fell on the feet of Ahmed in the box who controlled well and shot past Banda.

Lazarous Kambole pulled one back two minutes later when he shot past the on rushing keeper under pressure from two defenders to give the visitors some hope.

But the damage was completed in the 65th minute when Al Hilal skipper fired home from 25 yards to catch the Zesco keeper off his line to score at the near post.

In the other group match, Nkana was walloped 3 – 0 in Ghana by Asante Kotoko.

The results see Al Hilal go top with 7 points with Asante Kotoko going into second position ahead on Nkana on goal difference.

Zesco United have only picked four points.

Al Hilal v Zesco United XI

Jacob Banda – Shemmy Mayembe, Simon Silwimba, Clement Mwape, David Odhiambo, Misheck Chaila (Winstone Kalengo), Anthony Akumu, John Chingandu, Jackson Were (Mwape Mwelwa), Lazarous Kambole, Quadri Kola