Nkana, Blades In Barclays Semis

By DIANA MUTAKAFIMBO and ELIZABETH CHATUVELA
NKANA 2 POWER 0
A CLEVER lob and a classic freekick were yesterday enough for Nkana to beat arch-rivals Power Dynamos and cruise to the Barclays Cup semi-finals.
In an early kickoff at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, Konkola Blades stunned Zanaco 1-0.
Power started on a promising note as they dominated Nkana.
The two-time Barclays Cup holders could have taken the lead on 17 minutes when Jimmy Ndhlovu’s shot hit the crossbar and the ball zoomed out for a goalkick.
Left back Lawrence Chungu switched play to overlapping defender Govenda Simwala, who placed the ball for Ndhlovu and the striker connected with admirable precision but to no avail.
Nkana were in front in the 18th minute when Simon Bwalya, a former Power player, placed a throughball into the box and with goalkeeper Joshua Titima and skipper Thomas Nyirenda failing to communicate, Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba’s touch was enough.
In the 20th minute, Kampamba charged at the defenders and Nyirenda hacked him outside the box for referee Janny Sikazwe to award Nkana a freekick.
Kelvin Mubanga placed the ball into the far post, beating Titima thoroughly.
After conceding, Power coach Tenant Chilumba made a tactical change, introducing attacking midfielder Kennedy Mudenda for defender Govenda Simwala.
After the break, Power pushed forward in search of goals but Nkana held on.
Power were reduced to 10 men in the 77th minute after defender Billy Mutale hacked substitute Lottie Nyimbili.
ZANACO 0 BLADES 1
Blades defied football hierarchy when they overcame Zanaco in the Barclays Cup quarter-finals.
Having beaten Blades twice this season in the Super Division, Zanaco were favourites to progress to the Barclays Cup semi-finals but Blades had other ideas.
Usual suspect Humphrey Maseneko was the hero shaking the net in the 80th minute.
Maseneko, who had earlier missed three sure goals, kept his composure when man-of-the-match Davy Kalandanya put his through.
Zanaco outplayed Blades in the first half but grew cold feet in front of goal.
Zanaco’s best chance was in the 50th minute when Charles Zulu shot wide with only goalkeeper Collins Chomba to beat.
In the 69th minute, Blades coach Enos Silwimba rested Patson Kaseba for Anos Tembo while his counterpart Aggrey Chiyangi introduced brought in under-20 striker Davie Daka for Mathews Macha.
However, it was Silwimba’s substitute which was effective as Tembo changed the tempo of the match resulting in Maseneko’s goal.
“The team played well but we were unfortunate not to have scored,” Chiyangi said.
Blades coach Silwimba said: “Zanaco are a good team but we capitalised on one or two mistakes and I am sure we will go all the way”.
The other teams in the semi-finals are Napsa Stars and Zesco United.

Posted by Editor on September 15, 2014. Filed under SPORTS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry