Zesco United romped into the sunset today with US$500,000 after beating Al Hilal of Sudan 2-0 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka in the two sides final CAF Champions League Group A match.
The win was Zesco’s first home win in Group A after two home draws and end their debut pool stage campaign on 8 points to finish in 3rd spot.
It was a poor game all-round and it only came to life after a 0-0 first half that saw little in terms of premium continental club football.
Zesco secured their 3rd place finish courtesy of goals from two substitutes who both came on after the hour-mark.
63rd minute sub Enock Sakala was on target on 77 minutes with a drooping header bringing some life in this boring tie.
The goal was Sakala’s 5th of the competition and his first in Group A after earlier finding the target with four goals in the previous rounds on the road to qualifying to the lucrative pool stage.
Nicholas Zulu sealed the win in the 81st minute just six minutes after coming on with a header of his own to see Zesco finish on 8 points.
Zulu’s goal was his first in all competition this year.
Al Hilal are already through to the semifinals in October thanks to their unassailable 10 points.
The Sudanese club will know who they face in the semifinals after the final standings from the Group B matches on Sunday are known.
Does that mean the tournament is over? I don’t get it
Congrats ZESCO, I hope next time you make it to the semi final stage. There is even more cash there.
#1 yes the tournament is over for ZESCO now. There is the semi final stage and the final stage which has even more cash. ZESCO gets a cut of the prize money by being the third in their group in the group stage.
Its a job well done . Now get back to the drawing board and see how we need to improve on the mistakes and start working on it now.
@1
There are two groups, each with four teams. The top two teams in each group automatically qualify for the semis. Zesco have finished  third in their group, thus they have failed to make it to the semis but will walk away with $0.5M.Â
The actual amount ZESCO walks away with depends on who was screeing thier matches and how much this group will knock off from the US$500 pin.
Oh ok. Thanks #2 and 4, I didn’t understand. Bravo ZESCO, but theres room for improvement, better lluck next time.
The electricity still flows. On their maiden voyage the team kept on fighting. Such is what we call people with heart. Though out of the tournament the still fought for their name as ambassadors with a win for their fans. Very exciting team to watch indeed.
Ok …at least you have some cash to share Zescolo malaiti. Keep it up and high.
the only way zesco will see light if that money is shared with the players who are part or th main players fot this venture get a good cut that will bring HUNGER for more,then next season they will go all the way knowing there s more where this came from.
i would say nice work but guys you can do better under proper management .
That is proper Zescolo, but i do not understand how our zed team lands on a Usd 0.5m when there are number 3rd.Kindly someone to shade more light in this case pleasae?Because futbol in africa is changing slowly back to ama zones of those days!
They have tried mwee! Better than the National Team!
The players need huge bonuses to motivate them more. This will make them realize that had they gone further, the rewards could have been life changing. Good try. The picture above is very nice. As a former soccer player the picture catches the mind so much – the fact that that player was heading away (as the reporter states) as opposed to trapping the ball with the head, it means the cameraman flashed his camera at the point of contact – so the ball was not in motion at that instant – – excellent picture.
Zesco should learn some leasons from this tonarment …it is very important to use your chances when you are playing home. The other teams have gone through because they won their home matches. Hard luck.
“Nchekele, nchekele, nchekele!!!” The sound of money in your pocket!! That’s what hardwork and winning brings. Hopefully, other young Zambian football players have been taking notes from ba ‘Zescolo’—-HARDWORK ALWAYS PAYS-OFF—-a lesson the National team should take to heart.
Double your efforts next time, and the pay-off will also double. Good luck next time boys!!!!
Hope this money is inveested for the development of Infrastructure & facilities for Zesco.. Give each player who participated Bonuses.. These guys will be motivated to play better next to grab bigger priz..But as Usual Mu zambia, wont bt suprised some on Zesco or Faz dip their fingers in thi
Typical of Zambia & Zambian Teams, they win games that are just a formality. They genuinely lose when they are expected to win for glory. Had team ya ziko won the two home matches they drew, they would have advanced to the next stage for more cool cash. However Zescolo congrats for trying, tough luck.
Ba LT update us division one weekend results and table. Mighty Vs Prison Leopards, Brave Ranges Vs Nkana kalampa! Is promotion going to the weire?