Zesco United will take a slender advantage to Fez in a fortnight’s time in their Confederation Cup third round tie after beating MAS of Morocco 1-0 in the first leg today at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
The home side could have won this game by at least three goals but was let down but some poor finishing from their strike force.
Zesco dominated their visitors with man-of-the-match and midfielder Potipher Zulu at the center of all the action.
However, striker Jackson Mwanza was Zesco’s major culprit whose lapse in concentration on the final pass from Zulu and Clifford Chipalo cost the home side sure chances in the first half.
The games lone goal came in the 62nd minute through Derrick Kabwe who headed in a corner from Zulu just five minutes after replacing striker Nicholas Zulu.
MAS goalkeeper Abdekhakim Boulemane made two daring saves in the 10 minute period in the last quarter of the game to keep the score line respectable.
Boulemane saved a close-range shot from Sydney Kalume and a Mwanza rebound in the 73rd minute after the ball had earlier hit the upright.
11 minutes later, he was again called into action to keep out a sure goal from Mwanza in a goalmouth scramble.
Zesco need a draw away in Morocco in two weeks time to book their place in the group stage of the Confederation Cup.
Did Zambia play Mozambique?