By NDINAWE  SIMPELWE At Levy Mwanawasa Stadium –
Zesco 1 Azam 1
ZESCO United’s new signing Jesse Were did not hesitate to open his account with the Zambian champions who were held to a draw by Azam in their four-team pre-season tournament opening fixture.
Were, the Kenyan, combined well with another newcomer Idris Mbombo from Kabwe Warriors to put Zesco in front as early as the third minute.
Brought on to replace and fill the boots of Winston Kalengo, Were had an impressive game much to the delight of the home fans who felt he might be the perfect replacement.
Zesco acting coach Tenant Chembo had the chance to try in new players as he started with Akamu Agay, also from Kenya. However, both sides
struggled to play their game on the rain-drenched pitch.
Just as Zesco thought they had enough to pick maximum points, Kipre Tchetche snatched an equaliser when he headed in from a corner in the last minute of added time.
Zanaco 2 Chicken Inn 2
In the late kick-off, 10-man Chicken Inn of Zimbabwe came from behind twice to force a draw against Zanaco.
Fit-again Rodrick Kabwe put the bankers ahead with a ferocious free-kick in the fourth minute before Brian Juru connected in a nice cross from the right wing which caught the Zanaco defence napping five minutes later.
New signing Fashon Sakala restored Zanaco’s lead after benefiting from a tame back pass which he collected to round off the goal keeper and slot the ball into an empty net.
The new-look Zanaco started with new signing Aaron Katebe in central defence to partner Ziyo Tembo while Richard Kasonde anchored the midfield with Sakala starting upfront with Aubrey Funga in the absence of Moses Phiri.
But it was the defence that looked shaky as the partnership of Tembo and Katebe was exposed in most parts of the game and it came as no surprise when in the 84th minute Obidah Tarumbwa played a one-two with George Majika with the latter slotting in the return pass past Toaster Nsabata.
Chicken Inn, who were missing seven players to injuries and national team commitments, suffered a blow when substitute Thabani Garadeina was shown a red card for a foul on Kapumbu.
Late in added time Zanaco almost snatched a winner but Logic Ching’andu’s shot on the edge of the box bounced off the post.