Zambian league champions champions Zesco United survived a scare away to Horoya AC in the first round, second leg played in Conakry on Sunday, as they progressed to the second round of the 2016 Caf Champions League despite losing 2 – 0 and playing the entire second half with ten men.
Zesco United went behind in the 10th minute when Daouda Camara gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot. The visitors then suffered a double blow when Clatous Chama, who received his first yellow card on 6 minutes, was given a second yellow card as he was adjudged to have brought down Ocansey Mandela inside the box and Camara stepped up to convert the resulting penalty for the hosts to hold a 2 – 0 lead at the break.
Despite the numerical disadvantage Zesco United produced some resolute defending in the second half to avoid conceding a goal which would have eliminated them from the competition.
Horoya needed to score three goals to overturn a 4 – 1 defeat registered in the first leg played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on March 12 but Zesco United were resolute and held on to win the tie 4-3 on aggregate.
Zesco United assistant coach Tenant Chembo told fazfootball.com in a post match interview that he was disappointed with the manner in which decisions were given against the Zambian champions.
“Horoya have a good team and in Ndola they played a good game. But in their own backyard, they were aided by decisions of the match officials. I do not mind losing, but it is the manner in which the decisions were made against us which was not good,” said Chembo.
Zesco will now come up against Stade Malien who advanced with a 2 – 1 aggregate win over Coton Sport on Sunday.
Zesco United will qualify for the Champions’ League group stage if they beat Stade Malien over two legs while defeat will have them relegated to the Confederation Cup competition.