The match is done and dusted and the Zambian Super League defending champions Zesco United ran out 2-1 winners over Mamelodi sundowns in the semi-final 1st leg of the CAF African Champions League.
Not an easy match but Zesco extend their all-time unbeaten home record against non-Zambian teams to 26 games.
Had Mamelodi Sundowns won that would have been a shock given that Zesco have faced clubs which have won CAF competitions more recently. Not taking anything away from Masandawana.
For Sundowns they really played well and were one of the few teams to prevent Zesco from scoring in the first half this year. Tactics wise Zesco United changed their tactics for the first time when they departed from thier 4-5-1, 4-3-3 formation for a flat 4-4-2. Jackson Mwanza and Jesse Were in attack with John Chingandu and Mwape Mwelwa hugging the wings.
However, they did at times attack with three players that included either John Chingandu or Mwape Mwelwa joining the attack. Sundowns were missing their injured Colombian striker Leandro Castro and it showed as they lacked a striker upfront who could bully Zesco United's defenders David Owino and Ben Bahn.
Sundowns still looked dangerous though with Khama Billiat getting into dangerous areas but it was Keagn Dolly who was neutralized by Ayo Oluwafemi while Percy Tau looked lively but he was bullied off the ball easily. The midfield looked congested as both teams cancelled each other out but it was surprising that Sundowns decided to employ a high line against a Zesco side which has quick strikers. Probably this was to pressure Zesco into giving away possession in thier own half which did not work out at all times.A t the end of the day it was 2 great goals from Jackson Mwanza with the second one some saying it was offside but replays show that Jackson was onside when Mwape Mwelwa hit the freekick.
The second leg will be an interesting match considering that Zesco United have only lost twice away from home in all competitions in thier last 31 matches since November 2014 when they lost 2-0 to Nakambala leopards in the Zambian Super League. Zesco have won 16 of those matches with 13 being draws.
Sundowns themselves have a pretty impressive home record in CAF Competition and they have won all their last 8 CAF African Champions League games at home. Sundowns though have been beaten in CAF competitions before and this is when they lost 2-1 to Club Sfaxien in the 2008 CAF African Confederations Cup. Otherwise this match was very tactical and we are looking forward to an exciting second leg.