WASTEFUL MAMBA LOSE CAF OPENER

G. Mamba....(0)0
Zesco.............(1)2
Kasumba 7th, John 52nd

MANZINI – Eswatini’s CAF Champions League envoys Green Mamba have been forced to rue missed chances in their return to Africa’s premier club competition.

Two unanswered goals by visiting Zambia’s giants Zesco United in yesterday’s CAF Champions League preliminary round preliminary round first leg clash at Mavuso Sports Centre left Caleb Ngwenya’s men in a precarious position in their bid to conquer Africa in their return after seven years. Kasumba Umaru and John Ching’andu scored in each half to cancel out a wasteful Green Mamba before over 500 supporters who, included a boisterous contingent of about 60 from Zambia.

It is a tall order for Green Mamba, as they now need to score a minimum three unanswered goals away from home in the return match in two weeks’ time to progress to next round to face either Young Africans of Tanzania or Botswana’s Township Rollers.
They had themselves to blame after wasting countless chances in both halves.  Solomon Oladele was guilty of missing most of the chances, as he stuttered when he needed to pull the trigger.

For the visiting side, who are ranked 43rd in Africa, it did not take them too long to get off the mark. Parading seasoned campaigners who included Quadri Aledeokun Kola, who was recruited from Mbabane Swallows, they were flawless in their interplay. Kasumba Umaru capitalised on a defensive mix-up. He shook off the defence to beat goalkeeper Thokozani Mkhulisi with a low shot from close range in the seventh minute. In response, Oladele found an opening in the box but could not pull the trigger from about two yards out two minutes later.

The deadly Jesse Jackson also asked questions and saw his delightful effort from long range rattling the woodwork. Phinda ‘Phindrix’ Dlamini tried to test the experienced goalkeeper, Jacob Banda, with a lame effort from close range. There was another attempt by Solomon Oladele after he was set up by Banele Mdluli, but he failed to hit the target. It was the last throw of the dice in the half, as Zesco took the narrow lead to the break.

On resumption of play, Green Mamba proved adventurous before another setback in the 52nd minute. Umaru turned provider after an attack against the run of play to set up John Ching’ Andu, who fired a low hard shot from close to beat Mkhulisi.
Green Mamba were still getting into the opponents’ last third towards the end, but got stuck in a forest of bodies when they needed to pull the trigger. The introduction of Green Mamba marksman Musa Dlamini did little to penetrate the Zesco line of defence
 The Zambians threw more bodies at the back to grind the big win on the road.

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