By Kalumiana Kalumiana At Nchanga Stadium –
Rangers 0 Zanaco 2
ZANACO yesterday thumped Nchanga Rangers right in their backyard to jump to second position on the MTN-FAZ Premier Division table and subsequently maintain their 100 per cent winning start this season.
This means Zanaco have maximum six points from two matches with a game in hand while Rangers have three points from as many matches played.
This victory comes a week before Zanaco hosts Stade Gabesien of Tunisia in a Confederations of Africa Football (CAF) Confederation Cup in the second round, first leg match at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Goals from Charles Zulu and a Kamuzati Kabwe own-goal ended Nchanga’s hopes of a second successive big home win following last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Kitwe side Power Dynamos.
On the pitch yesterday, Zanaco took the lead in the 41st minute through Charles Zulu in a goal that will have many talking as to whom scored as Davy Daka looked to have netted off a low cross on the left from Aubrey Funga but television replays suggested otherwise.
After Funga powered his way on the left and crossed low, Daka connected well and as the ball was headed into the net, and not needing the help of Zulu to cross the line, Zulu still poked the ball just before it crossed.
Zanaco’s second goal came in the 68th minute when Kabwe’s attempt to head clear Aaron Katebe’s punt got misjudged by Nchanga goalkeeper Pascal Kasonde who agonisingly watched the ball fly into the hosts net.
Realising the game was running away from them, Nchanga pushed forward pressing Zanaco and they got an opportunity to cut the lead in stoppage time but promising striker Emmanuel Banda’s trademark free kick came off the post.
Zanaco now joins Lusaka Tigers in second position with six points but lead the promotion side they beat last weekend on goal difference and stay three points behind early pacesetters Nkana who are on nine points.
Zanaco will be buoyed going into the continental game this weekend as they are yet to concede a goal but have netted four times.