Aggrey Chiyangi reached his debut ever cup final as coach in his first competitive game at the helm of Green Buffaloes.
Buffaloes beat Chiyangi’s old club Power Dynamos 3-1 in the Samuel “Zoom” Ndhlovu Memorial Charity Shield semifinals this afternoon played on a rain-swept pitch at Kafubu Stadium in Luanshya.
They will face Zesco United who beat Zanaco 1-0 in the other semifinal played at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
It was refreshing to see Buffaloes played some free flowing football for once and one hopes this will be Chiyangi’s hallmark who was appointed last month after leaving demoted Chambishi FC.
Buffaloes took the lead against Chiyangi’s old side in the 26th minute through striker Brian Chilando who rifled from close range that Power defender Govenda Simwala failed to clear off the line.
Power didn’t bother Buffaloes too much on goal until second half substitute Elson Mkandawire hit the upright in the 64th minute before Luka Lungu’s shot was parried by Davey Kaumbwa.
Power broke the deadlock in the 78th minute when Simon Bwalya fired in an unstoppable shot from the edge of Buffaloes penalty area.
It looked like the game was heading towards post-match penalties until luck came buffaloes way for Buffaloes when Kennedy Chola slipped on a wet pitch to win a free kick on the edge of the penalty box.
Chola stepped up to converted the resultant free kick and Buffaloes sealed the game three minutes later when Chilando replacement Linker Mwikisa scored his sides third goal.
Meanwhile, at Woodlands, Zanaco suffered their second successive loss in a week after Zesco beat them 1-0 at woodlands.
New signing Derrick Kabwe scored for 10-man Zesco in the 53rd minute after ex-Zambia international Clive Hachilensa was sent off in the 40th minute.
Zesco and Buffaloes faceoff in the final on March 6 at a venue to be announced in Lusaka.
