CAF Confederation Cup: ZESCO United draw in Botswana to reach group stage

ZESCO United added another feather in the cap for Zambian football following their 1-1 second leg result over Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup group stage on Saturday.

Amine Hiver’s first half header from a Kelvin Kampamba free kick service was what the visitors needed to hold off a late charge from hosts Galaxy at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana. The Chad national team forward gave ZESCO a 5-4 aggregate victory to qualify the Zambian giants for the group stage of a CAF club competition for the first time since the 2019-20 CAF Champions League.

After an action-packed first leg that ended 4-3 in favor of the Zambia Super League runners-up, the visitors did an excellent job to disrupt Jwaneng Galaxy’s attempt to get back into the tie. The opening half hour passed without incident before Hiver provided some insurance with his bouncing header.

The hosts from Botswana took too long to recover from the blow they suffered before halftime. Emmanuel Siwale’s side endured a furious rally from the hosts, who did find a late goal. Despite shaky goalkeeping at the end, the visitors held on until the final whistle to qualify for the group stage where they last participated in the 2018-19 campaign.

Zega Mambo will learn their opponents in the group stage on November 3, when the group stage draw will be conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa.