ZESCO United suffered a 1-0 loss in a crunchy CAF Champions League fixture against TP Mazembe of DR Congo yesterday in Lubumbashi.

The game kicked off to an intense action that was marred by minor but persistent fouls and overly ambitious long shots from Zambia in an effort to take the lead. TP Mazembe however scored in the 24th minute through Jackson Maleka. The Congolese side held on to the lead the entire first half.

The second half was mainly characterised by more defensive plays and less attacking action while substitutions by both teams did little to change the pace of the game.

TP Mazembe despite being a DRC club has a notable number of Zambian footballers that feature in the national team and from the thrills of the game, players had another point to prove apart from wanting to get maximum points from the clash.

Weak goal threats were the main highlights of the second half while coaches yelled for more opportunities but all in vain. TP Mazembe carried the day with a 1-0 triumph. An even more intense action is anticipated in the return match next week as ZESCO will host the Congolese side.