Zesco United secured their place in the 2026 ABSA Cup after beating Zanaco 2-1 at Sunset Stadium in a rescheduled Week 17 match on Thursday.
They joined six other Super League clubs in the ABSA Cup, including Red Arrows, Power Dynamos, Zanaco, Mufulira Wanderers and Nchanga Rangers.
Zesco took the lead early through Elvis Addae, who scored just five minutes into the match. Zanaco responded quickly, with Eliya Mandanji converting a penalty in the 10th minute to make it 1-1.
The first half ended level in what was an evenly contested encounter. However, the intensity shifted in the second half, with a heavy downpour affecting the flow of the game as the pitch became waterlogged. With just 14 minutes remaining, substitute Amine Hiver headed home the winner to seal victory for the visitors.
“We wanted to win and qualify for this Absa because we are the holders, so the boys put up the fight that we even talked about,” Emmanuel Siwale, Zesco’s coach, said after the match. “It was tough, and especially when the rains came now, it was even worse, but we had to fight, and he got the winning goal, which I’m very happy for the boys, especially that they’ve managed to do what we wanted to do.”
‘Better side won’ – Numba
Zanaco have now lost four of their last six league matches, winning just one, despite sitting fourth in the standings with 31 points. Head coach Numba Mumamba was not pleased with his team’s performance.
“We did not play the way we expected the team to play because Zesco were better in all departments. They dominated and that is why they’ve gotten the victory today,” Numba said.
He added, “We are not very happy with the performance of the team, but I think our lads tried. We were playing a better side, which deserves to win.”
Earlier this season, when Zanaco were top of the table, Numba said it would be difficult to leapfrog them. When asked about that statement, he said, “I think I was misquoted in that statement. I said, it is good that we have won the game so that we put pressure on the teams that are following us behind. I, I never added that statement. Thank you.”
Meanwhile, Zesco are now sitting 11th on the table with 25 points and three games in hand. They will host Mufulira Wanderers on Sunday, while Zanaco face Nkwazi on the same day.
READ ALSO: Copper Queens Cruise Past Botswana to Launch COSAFA Title Defence
