• POWER Dynamos defender, Christopher Munthali (left) polices Zanaco striker, Moses Phiri during yesterday’s Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield semi-final match at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe. Power won 1-0. Picture by KASUMPA KATAPA

By KALUMIANA KALUMIANA –

At Arthur Davies Stadium
Nkana 0 Zesco 0 (Postponed)
RAIN washed away the 2015 Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield semi-final clash between Nkana and Zesco United in Kitwe yesterday forcing it to be replayed today.
Power Dynamos who beat Zanaco in the first semi final will have to wait to see which side they will face in the March 7 finals.
A first half storm left the Arthur Davies pitch waterlogged forcing officials to postpone the game.
The game was scoreless heading into the break following a downpour that started 30 minutes into the first half.
The two teams did not come back from the dressing rooms as referee Milton Mweemba went to inspect the pitch 20 minutes after he sounded the half-time whistle to inspect the now waterlogged pitch before making his decision to call off the match for at least 24 hours.
Football Association of Zambia vice president Boniface Mwamelo said the full game will be re-played today at 14:00 hours at the same venue but will not be free and that gates will open at 10:00 hours.
Mwamelo added that fans will be charged half price of what they paid for yesterday’s doubleheader.
“Because of a heavy downpour the pitch was assessed to be unplayable. The game has not been abandoned but it has been aborted. The game will be played for full 90 minutes. The teams will be allowed to field different teams but decision remains on yellow cards still stand,” he said.
Meanwhile, it was cagey affair between the two sides although Zesco enjoyed the lion’s share of chances.
The best was a near-howler by new Nkana goalkeeper Scott Ngokane after he spilt the ball that Jackson Mwanza pounced.
Nkana were saved by some quick action by Given Sinyangwe who cleared Mwanza’s goal-bound effort.
Power 1 Zanaco 0
In the lunchtime kickoff, striker Jimmy Ndhlovu scored the all important goal as Power dumped a 10-man Zanaco out of the competition, reports MOSES CHIMFWEMBE.
Zanaco had an early goal disallowed after Moses Phiri was adjudged to have strayed into an offside position two minutes into the match.
Ndhlovu lit up a fully packed Arthur Davies Stadium when he finished off Derrick Mwansa’s cross to put the home side ahead on nine minutes.
The home side dominated played and would have scored several goals save for a series of missed chances with Alex Ng’onga among the culprits.
Zanaco were then reduced to 10 men when Kitwe referee Milton Mweemba dismissed Lee Ngoma for a second caution after a crude challenge on Kennedy Mudenda.
Power coach Tenant Chilumba said he was happy with the victory despite his team failing to utilise the many chances created that would killed the game early.
“I am happy with the result. The team played well and I think we would have more goals had we converted the chances,” Chilumba said in an interview after the match.
Zanaco coach, Numba Mumamba Numba, who suffered his first defeat since taking over from Aggrey Chiyangi, said he was disappointed with the result.
“It was a tough game and I think we applied ourselves to push for an equaliser but Power players were disciplined with the way the defended. Of course it is a disappointing loss,” Numba said.