By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Nkana coach Mwenya Chipepo said facing Zesco United away in Ndola in the 2025 ABSA Cup semifinals in a fortnight is as good as a home game for the Kitwe giants.
Zesco and Nkana will meet in the final before the final during the weekend of April 26-27 in the 2025 ABSA Cup semifinals at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Levy Stadium is Zesco’s home ground where both semi-finals will be played including the ABSA Cup final on May 10.
Chipepo said in a post-match interview in Kitwe on Saturday that Nkana has a very strong support base even away from home.
“Everywhere we go even if we are playing in Lusaka or in Kabwe we have more support,” Chipepo said. “So, against Zesco, even if they will be at home, we will make sure we go to the finals.”
But there is a source of concern in the manner Nkana have had to slash and burn their way over the last two rounds of the ABSA Cup to get to the semifinals.
In both of Nkana’s last two ABSA Cup fixtures, they have beaten their opponents via post-match penalties.
In the last 16, Nkana beat third division side Roan United 3-2 on post-match penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Then on Saturday, Nkana defeated Kansanshi Dynamos 3-2 in another shootout after a scoreless draw.
However, Zesco’s passage to the semi-finals was decided within the 90 minutes after beating Barts FC 3-1 in the last 16 on April 6 and later last Saturday defeated Konkola Blades 2-0 in the quarterfinals.
“Every coach can be worried especially when you are not converting but that is our job as coaches. Our job is to make sure we work on our mistakes,” Chipepo said.
Meanwhile, the other semi-final pairing was decided by press time on Sunday when defending champions Red Arrows were in action against Green Eagles while the 2024 runners-up Kabwe Warriors were playing Power Dynamos.
