Zesco United won on Sunday, but ex-Kaizer Chiefs striker Lazarous Kambole failed to find the target for the first time since rejoining the Zambian club.
The nine-time champions beat Napsa Stars 2-0 at home in Kitwe. The visitors fielded ex-Orlando Pirates and Amazulu midfielder Augustine Mulenga.
Kambole came into this weekend’s fixture in hot form after scoring four goals in three successive games. He made his debut on January 28 in a 1-1 away draw at Lumwana Radiants.
LAZAROUS KAMBOLE DID NOT HAVE A QUIET DAY
He joined Zesco in January on a six-month loan from Tanzanian giants Young Africans. He moved to Dar es Salaam last year at the end of an uneventful three-year stay at Chiefs.
Chiefs signed Kambole from Zesco in mid-2019.
Despite not scoring this weekend, Kambole did not have a quiet day at all. His first chance came around his favourite time in the 34th minute, but his shot went wide.
Six minutes later, Zesco took the lead through midfielder Chanda Mukuka to see Kambole’s side go one-nil into halftime.
Kambole’s final effort came in the 51st minute with a volley from the edge of the area. However, it was saved on the far post by Napsa goalkeeper Rodwell Mukanya.
From then on, Kambole was heavily policed, and that earned Napsa defender Kabengele Musonda a yellow card in the 55th minute.
STOPPAGE TIME GOAL
Kambole completed the match and was on hand to congratulate strike partner Collins Sikombe who scored a stoppage-time goal.
Sikombe benefitted from a long throw from Zesco goalkeeper Cyril Chibwe that took one touch before reaching the former to seal Zesco’s victory.
Meanwhile, Augustine Mulenga had a very quiet 90 minutes and battled to find his way through a solid Zesco backline.
Zesco’s win over 8th placed Napsa moves them from 10th to 6th on 34 points, twelve points behind leaders Power Dynamos with ten games left to play.
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