Nkana FC continued their push to survive from relegation after beating Zesco United 1-0 in a Zambia Super League match played at Levi Mwanawasa Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Alex Ng’onga netted the solitary goal in the 20th minute with a powerful inside the box past shot-stopper Ian Ottieno.
Zesco nearly got the opener in the tenth minute after John Makwatta received a pass from Chanda Mukuka in a good position inside the box but his close-range shot was saved by goalkeeper Kelvin Malunga.
Betson Chambeshi’s charges started to up their game and Patrick Gondwe came close to giving them the lead in 16th minute but his thumping effort was parried away by Ottieno while Diamond Chikwekwe failed to capitalise on the rebound.
Nkana continued pushing for a second goal but the final ball was lacking, which forced the side to have a couple efforts from distance.
Thabani Kamusoko nearly gave the hosts a cushion goal before the break but Nkana shot-stopper Malunga was on hand to make the save.
Zesco, meanwhile, had to wait until the second half to make any in-roads in the final third as Kelvin Kampamba headed wide of the post just after the hour mark.
The second half started off with Misheck Chaila nearly doubling Nkana’s lead as the winger tried to catch Ottieno off his line but the winger’s lobbed effort sailed over the bar.
Frackson Kapumbu tried his luck from range three minutes later but the Zesco defender fired his effort high over the bar.
Adrian Chama came close to equalizing for Zesco in the 54th minute but the winger’s deflected effort went just wide of the right-hand post.
Luwawa Kasoma tried his luck from range in the 81st minute but did Malunga well to deny the Zesco ‘ striker.
Kelvin Moyo came to his side’s rescue in the 86th minute as he cleared a goal-bound header off the line, to sustain his side’s lead.
