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KCCA 1 Nkana 2 (3-4 aggregate)
ZAMBIA’S 2014 CAF inter-club competitions envoys, Nkana and Zesco United yesterday progressed to the next stage of their respective tournaments after chalking up vital victories.
Nkana scored an inspiring 2-1 away victory in Uganda while Zesco ejected Mozambican side, Ferroviario da Beira after winning 1-0 in the CAF Confederation Cup in Ndola.
Nkana produced a master-class performance to knock out Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) of Uganda and progress to the second round of the CAF Champions League.
The Zambian champions’ prize of ejecting KCCA at their backyard is a tough assignment against Egyptian giants, Zamalek, who eliminated Angola’s Kabuscorp on a 1-0 aggregate score following a barren draw on Friday in Luanda.
Goals from Claude Bwalya and Christopher Munthali on either half ensured the status quo remains where no Ugandan club has ever beaten a Zambian opposition in Kampala.
After a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Kitwe a week ago, KCCA were bullish heading into this first round decider played before a home crowd at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.
Bwalya swept Nkana in the lead on 35 minutes when he buried a Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba pass following a defensive mix-up by KCCA.
The Uganda side tried to fight back but Mike Birungi saw his curling shot sailing off the bar in first half stoppage time. KCCA, who stunned Sudanese heavyweights, El Merreikh in the previous round, rallied back after resumption and their efforts were duly rewarded on 50 minutes when Brian Majwega restored parity with a well-struck free-kick, beating goalkeeper, Charles Mweemba.
With the game becoming a tense affair, Nkana skipper, Sydney Kalume ended up in Namibian referee, Rainhold Shikayo’s note book after a foul on Tony Odur.
However, KCCA’s hope of continuing with their giant-killing instinct went up in flames eight minutes later when defender Christopher Munthali punished them with a sublime finish.
Munthali delivered Nkana’s winning blow when he finished with aplomb a spilled ball by KCCA goalkeeper, Salim Jamal, who failed to effectively deal with a Kampamba set piece.
As desperation took its toll on the hosts, Majwega was yellow-carded for a bad tackle on Donashano Malama but the Nkana defender ended up being cautioned also for time wasting. Nkana coach Masauso Mwale made some tactical changes, bringing in veteran striker, Francis Kombe for midfielder Shadreck Musonda and rested Bwalya for Noel Phiri. Shikayo added six minutes of stoppage time after 90 minutes and KCCA tried hard but in vain to force the match into nerve-wrecking penalty shoot-outs.
Nkana stood firm to ensure they maintain their edge over KCCA.
