Kabwe Warriors came firing on cylinders from the start at the Godfrey Ucar Chitalu stadium. The Railway Boys needed to avoid defeat against FC MUZA to make it to the 2024 ABSA Cup.
However, despite their first-half dominance, Warriors could not convert any of their chances, with the game remaining scoreless at the interval. The blockbuster encounter suffered a temporal halt before the second proceeding due to a water-logged pitch resulting from a heavy downpour.
The second-half affair proved cagey as both sides struggled to maneuver the ball due to the pools of water on the turf. FC MUZA’s Chanda Chileshe nearly scored his own goal in the 52nd minute before his misdirected clearance deflected off the crossbar.
Kabwe Warriors’ substitute Godfrey Binga thought he grabbed a late victory for the People’s Team, but his goal was controversially ruled out by the linesman for offside. The emotions were in the air late on, as FC MUZA gaffer Matthews Ndhlovu was shown a straight red card after an Emmanuel Manda foul sparked a brawl on the touchline.
The contest ended 0-0 as both sides progressed to the 2024 ABSA Cup at the expense of Green Eagles FC.
Atletico Lusaka books ABSA Cup title
National Division One outfit Atletico Lusaka remains on the brink of qualification for the ABSA Cup after notching a 3-0 victory against ZESCO Malaiti. They are set to progress to the competition for the first time ever, ahead of Lumwana Radiants.
Meanwhile, Forest Rangers’ ABSA Cup title defense came to a premature end as they sat 9th in the standings halfway through the season.
The ABSA Cup’s most decorated club, Zesco United FC, was the first top-flight side to book their ticket to the 2024 edition. Zega Mambo have amassed six cup titles, with the most recent coming in 2019, when they annihilated Zanaco FC 4-1 in the final.
Nkwazi FC, Red Arrows, Power Dynamos, and Nchanga Rangers also secured spots in the quarterfinals of the highly coveted ABSA Cup.
READ MORE: How Nkwazi sealed ABSA Cup slot
The 17th edition of the ABSA Cup is set to kick off next year, as ZESCO United, Nkwazi, Forest Rangers, Red Arrows, FC MUZA, and Kabwe Warriors will battle for the title alongside the top two National Division One sides pending official communication from FAZ.
