Goals galore in Charity Shield Cup
by Mutheliso Phiri 23 February 2013, 19:26
There were nine different scorers in the double header of the Samuel “Zoom” Ndhlovu semifinals played at Nkoloma Stadium on Saturday.
The first semi- final which featured Power Dynamos and Zesco United produced three goals while the second semi- final between Zanaco and Napsa Stars produced six goals.
Power Dynamos progressed to the final with a 2-1 win over Zesco United while Zanaco came from behind to overcome the challenge of a spirited Napsa Stars side by winning 4-2.
Kennedy Mudenda put Power Dynamos in front in the first half and Mukuka Mulenga increased the advantage in the 65th minute before Kangwa Chileshe pulled one back two minutes later for Zesco who were reduced to ten men following the sending off of striker Winston Kalengo for his wild challenge on Gilbert Kalusa just before the break.
In the second semi-final played before a near capacity crowd, Napsa Stars were off to a good start when they stunned their more illustrious opponents with a Matthews Nkowani strike in the third minute of the match.
The early goal was a wake-up call to Zanaco and their response was immediate as Davies Mwape equalised in the eighth minute with a well-placed shot from close range.
Maunga Kabuku had a chance to put Zanaco in the lead after good combination play with Davies Mwape but his shot went over the cross bar. At the other end, Mathews Nkowani had a brilliant chance for his second but his header from within the box went wide.
However, it was new recruit Rodric Kabwe who would put the bankers in the lead with a fantastic header for the 2012 league champions to go at the break with 2 goals in the bag.
Napsa Stars were forced to pull out Harry Milanzi almost immediately after the restart due to suspected injury and while Zanaco looked comfortable on the ball, Spencer Ngalande capitalised on a defensive lapse and latched on a wayward back pass to round an on-coming Racha Kola before equalising with a well taken shoot at the top of the box.
It was end to end stuff thereafter with both Kakonje Kalililo and Racha Kola making brilliant stops to keep their teams in the match.
However, Zanaco coach Keagan Mumba had other plans when the match
looked like it would be decided by the lottery of a penalty shoot-out.
Mumba introduced Aubrey Zulu and Boyd Mwangelwa for Davies Mwape and
Portipher Zulu respectively and the two substitutes were both on target in the last five minutes of the match with two quick fire goals to set up an enthralling final against Power Dynamos on 9th March.
