Zesco United FC narrowly avoided back-to-back league defeats this season after Thandi Mwape’s 78th-minute penalty equalizer salvaged a 1-1 draw against Lumwana Radiants in Solwezi.

Emmanuel Siwale, who stepped in on interim basis, after the Ndola side, sacked George Lwandamina has now gone two straight matches without a win.

Benjamin Mukanda put the home side in the lead in the 68th-minute.

A victory for Radiants over Zesco, would have been their second consecutive victory for the home side, who defeated Mutondo Stars away last weekend.

But the visitors were awarded a late penalty with twelve minutes before regulation time, which Tandi stepped up and converted to give Zesco, a point away from home.

The outcome follows Zesco’s 2-0 loss to Kabwe Warriors in their previous match, leaving interim coach Siwale disappointed with the outcome. 

“We have lost some points which were vital, but a point is better than nothing,” Siwale said after the match.

The coach expressed frustration at missed opportunities in the first half that could have sealed the game for his side.

However, he commended the team for converting the penalty that ensured a share of the spoils. 

“We could have won in the first half; there were many chances that we created. It’s just good that we had that opportunity that we converted,” he noted. 

Siwale feels the dropped two points have affected his team target on the table despite the team maintaining its position on the log (Third) with 27 points from the 15 games played so far.

“It has affected us a lot because we wanted to win… but a point, yes, we wanted maximum points.”