ZESCO United maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-1 victory over Nchanga Rangers in a pulsating encounter at Nchanga Stadium, Chingola, on Sunday. The win sees ZESCO extend their unbeaten streak to five games and secure their place at the top of the Zambian Super League table with 13 points.
ZESCO’s latest triumph was spearheaded by new signing Amine Hiver, who delivered a match-winning performance with a brilliant brace.
Hiver opened the scoring in the 18th minute, latching onto a well-timed through ball to put his team ahead.
Nchanga Rangers, however, responded swiftly with an equalizer just three minutes later, courtesy of Laurent Mwanza, who capitalized on a defensive lapse from ZESCO.
Despite the setback, ZESCO remained composed, controlling the tempo with their signature possession-based style.
As the game progressed, their relentless pressure paid off when Hiver struck again in the 68th minute to restore the visitors’ lead.
His second goal not only secured the victory but also earned him the Fans’ Player of the Match Award, underlining his importance to the team’s early-season success.
Interim Head Coach Emmanuel Siwale has overseen a remarkable run of form for ZESCO United, with the team registering four wins and one draw from their opening five matches.
Under Siwale’s guidance, ZESCO have been playing with confidence, showcasing the high-pressing, possession-oriented football that has become a hallmark of their approach.
Assistant Coach Clive Hachilensa expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, particularly highlighting the improved attacking output.
“We started a bit slow but managed to score a brace, which is something we’ve been working on,” Hachilensa said. “Previously, we’ve only been able to score one goal per game, so getting two today is a big step forward. We did everything we planned for.”
Hachilensa also acknowledged the fans’ role in driving the team to victory.
The support was amazing today.
The fans came out in great numbers, and that really encouraged the players.
We hope they keep backing us as the season progresses,” he added.
With this win, ZESCO United remain firmly at the top of the standings as they look ahead to their next fixture against Mufulira Wanderers.
The nine-time league champions will host Wanderers at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday, 28th September.
Kickoff is scheduled for 15:00 hours as ZESCO aim to extend their unbeaten run and further solidify their position as league leaders.
ZESCO’s strong start to the season and Hiver’s immediate impact make them one of the teams to watch in the Zambian Super League as they chase another league title.
