Kambole hat-trick throws Zesco back into quarters race
A Lazarous Kambole hat-trick off in three minutes flung visiting Zambia soccer gianst Zesco United right back into the quarter finals race with a priceless 3-0 win over Mbabane Swallows in a Group D Match Day 5 tie played at Mavuso Sports Centre on a cold and wet Saturday.
No one, absolutely nobody had predicted such a result that would leave The Birds’ swallowed and tournament’s progress teetering towards exit but the George Lwandamina coached outfit pulled rabbit out of the bag against all odd with the 24 year old Kambole meting out the punishment on the hapless and very fragile home backline in a six minute action breeze.
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The damage had been done leaving Kambole, who just has three national team caps to celebrate.
“I never expected to score three but as a striker one just has to convert the chances that come his way and I just did exactly that. I am happy the goals made the difference and to make it special we are back in contention for the quarter finals,” said Kambole.
Swallows’ usual flare seemed to have been frozen out and drained away by the cold and slippery turf which made it difficult for smooth flow but according to Lwandamina it was his pre-match intention to press the host high and hard and push them into error prone mode.
“We had to press them high and force them not to play their own game effectively in the first half and that worked for us. In the second half we had to draw back and allow them to waste their time by knocking the ball around and again it worked.
“Now that we have won and are back in the race for the quarter finals we hope to win against Etoile Sportive du Sahel and probably push it to the last day and have one of the three of the Southern Africa teams progressing,” said Lwandamina.
Swallows mentor, Thabo Vilakati congratulated his Zesco counterpart.
“Congratulations to Zesco, Lwandamina did his home and effected his plan well. We didn’t play well, the field of play was wet and slippery something that I told my players but unfortunately we gave away two quick goals and from there on it became difficult to recover.
“We tried to come back but it was so difficult to break them down despite controlling the second half. Better luck next time. This is football anything is possible,” said Vilakati.
Mbabane Swallows travel to Angola’s Primeiro 1 de Agosto with Zesco entertaining Etoile Sportive du Sahel in the final group stage round set for next week.