Zesco’s journey to the last four

journey to the 2016 semi-finals was rewarded after taking the long and hard road to the four corners of Africa.

The Zambian torchbearers began their campaign in the preliminary round in February into the unknown when they became the first Zambia club to face a South Sudan opponent in a continental competition.

The Ndola-based side made a flying start beating Al Ghazala of South Sudan 2-0 in the first leg at home on February 14. New striker Idris Mbombo announced his arrival following his off-season move from Kabwe Warriors when scored his debut continental goal in the seventh minute to record what would be his first of five so far this term.

But Zesco had to dig deep in that match after Al Ghazala defended solidly throughout the match before midfielder Cletus Chama sneaked in his side’s final goal in stoppage time after earlier providing an assist for Mbombo’s goal.

Chama would go on to score three more goals in the competition.

Zesco then travelled to Juba to become the first Zambian club to play a competitive game in Africa’s youngest state on February 26. Al Ghazala were a different preposition at their backyard where they took the match to Zesco on a sweltering Friday afternoon.

It took a stoppage time goal, this time from John Chingandu, to get Zesco a win after he replaced Mbombo on 77 minutes, and earn his side a place at the 1/16th round.

Mbombo, though, was not disappointed after not getting on the scoresheet, but was confident the result was a sign of good things to come.

“The team’s targets are more important than my personal target. The team wants to reach the group stage so it is about teamwork and that’s where my targets fit in,” Mbombo said in Juba after Zesco secured a 3-0 aggregate win.

Next stop for the Zambians was Horoya of Guinea in …

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