Zesco United suffered their second consecutive defeat in the CAF Confederation Cup on Friday, losing 2-3 to Egypt’s Al Masry at the Levy Mwanawansa Stadium.
The match began at a high tempo, with Al Masry opening the scoring just four minutes in through Mohamed Hashem. Zesco responded almost immediately when Kabaso Chongo played a ball forward to Fred Micheal, who outran the Al Masry defenders and tapped in the equaliser in the fifth minute.
Despite creating fewer chances, Al Masry restored their lead in the 24th minute through Mounder Temine, who capitalised on poor defending after Fils Gantar failed to control Benedict Chepeshi’s back pass. The error allowed the Algerian striker to race through and beat goalkeeper Philip Sakauta, sending the visitors into the break 1-2 ahead.
In the second half, Zesco made adjustments, bringing on Pascal Phiri for Chepeshi, with Shemmy Mayembe also making way for Zacharia Chilongoshi. Phiri once again proved influential from the bench.
Just as Zesco looked the more likely to score, Al Masry extended their lead in the 68th minute when Abderrahim Deghmoum slipped past the defenders to finish from close range and make it 1-3.
Facing an uphill battle, Zesco continued to create chances but still couldn’t find the breakthrough. Oghenemarho Ifoni and Chijoke Alaekwe were introduced for Michael and Abraham Siakombo in a bid to spark a comeback.
Four minutes before full-time, Phiri weaved his way through the Al Masry defence and delivered a superb cross into the box, finding Peter Musukuma, whose second touch guided the ball into the net to reduce the deficit to 2-3.
Seven minutes of added time followed, but Zesco could not find the equaliser as they slumped to their seventh match without a win across all competitions.
The result keeps Al Masry at the top of Group D with six points, ahead of Zamalek on three points with a game in hand. Kaizer Chiefs sit third with no points. Zamalek and Chiefs meet tomorrow in South Africa.
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