ZESCO United settled for a goalless draw in their Week Four MTN Super League encounter against Mufulira Wanderers at Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
Coach Mwenya Chipepo’s men created several opportunities in search of a winner, but 10-man Wanderers held firm as both teams continued their search for a first victory of the campaign in Stream B of the Transitional Season.
Wanderers threatened to break the deadlock in the eighth minute, but ZESCO goalkeeper Patrick Chooma was quick off his line to avert the danger from Menayame Ndombe’s teasing cross into the box. Four minutes later, Brice Sindjo timed his run well to meet a ball from the left, but his effort went narrowly wide as ZESCO looked to take the lead.
The hosts continued to pile on the pressure, producing some neat interplay between Benedict Chepeshi, Rally Bwalya and Kennedy Musonda in the 17th minute. However, Musonda was caught offside with only the goalkeeper to beat. Gilbert Tentani, who was facing his former side, saw his 21st-minute effort deflected for a corner as Wanderers survived another scare.
Wanderers were reduced to 10 men in the 26th minute when referee Given Lishomwa sent Joseph Malata off for elbowing ZESCO defender Zachariah Chilongoshi. With 10 minutes remaining before the break, Chooma was called into action again, making a save to deny Wanderers from a free kick.
The teams went into the break level, prompting Chipepo to turn to his bench for answers. He made a triple substitution at the start of the second half, bringing on Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba, Antony Shipanuka and Ives Allarabaye for Rally Bwalya, Leonard Mulenga and Brice Sindjo, respectively.
Chipepo later introduced Abraham Siankombo for Tentani as ZESCO continued to search for a breakthrough. Wanderers threatened on the counterattack in the 66th minute, but Chooma was equal to the task, dealing with Henry Omollo’s effort.
In the 70th minute, Chipepo made his final substitution, bringing on Emmanuel Manda for Kennedy Musonda. With 15 minutes remaining, Siankombo tested Wanderers goalkeeper Jairos Tembo with a well-directed free kick, but the shot-stopper made a timely save to keep the scores level.
Despite ZESCO’s efforts to capitalise on their numerical advantage, Wanderers remained resilient, and neither side could find the decisive goal as referee Lishomwa brought the contest to an end.
