- Harambee Stars striker Moses Shumah scored the all-important goal in the derby.
- He also missed a penalty but that did not come at any cost.
- It was his third goal of the season, underlining his fine form since joining the Zambian champions.
Power Dynamos emerged victorious in the much-anticipated Electricity Derby after a hard-fought 1-0 win over rivals Zesco United in a Zambia Premier League clash played at Arthur Davies Stadium.
The result gave Power Dynamos the bragging rights in what was a thrilling and emotionally charged encounter.
Barely two days after both clubs learned their CAF inter-club competition group stage opponents, the two sides faced off in a match that lived up to its billing; full of intensity, physical battles, and moments of brilliance.
Kenyan forward Moses Shumah once again proved his worth for Power Dynamos by scoring the all-important goal in the eighth minute. It was his third goal of the season, underlining his fine form since joining the Zambian champions.
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The striker displayed composure and precision, finishing clinically after finding space inside the box to give the home side an early lead.
Just minutes later, Power Dynamos were presented with a golden opportunity to extend their advantage when they were awarded a penalty. Zesco United defender Kabaso Chongo brought down Daniel Adoko inside the area, and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot.
Shumah, confident after his earlier goal, stepped up to take the penalty, but his effort was brilliantly saved by Zesco goalkeeper Philip Sakauta, who kept his team’s hopes alive.
Despite dominating much of the first half, Dynamos found Sakauta in inspired form, as the Zesco custodian pulled off several fine saves to deny them a comfortable cushion.
Harambee Stars striker Moses Shumah in action
In the second half, coach Osward Mutapa made tactical changes to protect the lead. He introduced Salulani Phiri and Brian Masanyinga for Fred Mulambia and Chifundo Mphasi, while goal scorer Shumah was replaced by Eddie Ankobo to add fresh legs in attack.
Speaking after the match, Mutapa praised his players for their resilience and discipline in securing a vital three points.
“We needed the result, we needed to push up the ladder,” Mutapa said. “We knew it was going to be a tough game, but the boys showed great character to hold on.”
The win saw Power Dynamos climb to fourth place on the Zambia Premier League table with 17 points. They will now turn their focus to another heated fixture the fiery Kitwe Derby against Nkana Football Club at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium this weekend.
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For Shumah, the match further cements his growing influence in the Zambian top flight with fans and pundits alike lauding his consistency and attacking prowess.
His impressive form will also be encouraging news for Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy as the Kenyan striker continues to deliver outstanding performances abroad.