Buildcon FC will play second-tier football next season after being mathematically relegated from the Zambian Super League by Zesco United on Saturday.
Team Kopala suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Zesco United in the Ndola Derby at the Trade Fair Grounds.
Collins Sikombe put the visitors ahead when he fired past Malekani after just over half an hour of football. Buildcon prevented further damage during the first half, going into the break only 1-0 down.
However, Zesco turned the gears after the interval as they came firing on all cylinders. Enock Sakala’s goal doubled their lead just after the restart before Kambole killed the game with a third goal two minutes later.
Kenyan forward Vincent Oburu turned the defeat into an obliteration for Buildcon when he added a fourth goal in 82 minutes.
Zesco United continued to batter the hosts as Sikombe completed his brace with the fifth goal of the afternoon.
It was the second time this season Sikombe hit the net twice in one Super League match. His first came in January this year at the Nkoloma stadium when he scored a hat-trick in Zesco’s 0-3 away win over Red Arrows
As if a five-star performance were not enough, Zega Mambo crushed Team Kopala by adding the cherry on the cake. The match ended with Zesco running out as 6-0 winners against a discombobulated Buildcon side.
Buildcon kiss goodbye to top-flight football
That loss meant Buildcon’s torrid season has resulted in an early exit from Zambia’s top flight. They are at rock bottom of the league table with just 10 points.
Nchimunya Mweetwa’s side have managed just two wins all season and lost 22 of their 28 top-flight encounters. They are 18 points behind Chambishi FC, who are just a place above them.
The Ndola-based side was promoted to the Zambian Premier League back in 2016 after winning the Division One title.
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The battle to prevent demotion to the FAZ Division One continues with about half a dozen teams in the mix. The likes of Zanaco, Kabwe Warriors, Chambishi, Lumwana Radiants, Nchanga Rangers, etc. will fight tooth and nail to avoid the same fate as Buildcon FC.