View source for ZESCO United F.C.

{{Short description|Zambian football club}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = ZESCO United
| image = NewZescoUtdFClogo.png
| image_size = 180px
| upright = 0.7
| alt = ackim chilongo
| caption = Zambia
| fullname = ZESCO United Football Club
| nickname = Zega Mambo, Team Ya Ziko
| short name = Zesco
| founded = {{Start date and years ago|1974|1|1|df=y}}
| dissolved = 
| American = 
| ground = [[Levy Mwanawasa Stadium]], [[Ndola]]
| capacity = 49,800
| coordinates = 
| owner = [[ZESCO]]
| chrtitle = <!--optional, default: Chairman -->
| chairman = Richard Mulenga
| mgrtitle = <!--optional, default: Manager -->
| manager = [[George Lwandamina ]]
| coach = 
| league = [[Zambia Super League]]
| season = [[2024–25 Zambia Super League|2024–25]]
| position = 2nd
| website = http://www.zescounitedfc.co.zm/
| kit_alt1 = 
| pattern_la1 =_whiteborder
| pattern_b1 =
| pattern_ra1 =_whiteborder 
| pattern_sh1 =_greensides
| pattern_so1 =_greenborder
| leftarm1 = 228b22
| body1 = ff4500
| rightarm1 = 228b22
| shorts1 = ff4500
| socks1 = ff4500
| pattern_name1 = <!--optional, default: Home colours -->Green and Orange
| kit_alt2 = 
| pattern_la2 =_greenborder
| pattern_b2 =_whitecollar
| pattern_ra2 =_greenborder 
| pattern_sh2 = _whitesides
| pattern_so2 =_greenborder 
| leftarm2 = ffffff
| body2 = 228b22
| rightarm2 = ffffff
| shorts2 = 228b22
| socks2 = ffffff
| pattern_name2 = <!--optional, default: Away colours -->White and green
| kit_alt3 = 
| pattern_la3 = 
| pattern_b3 = 
| pattern_ra3 = 
| pattern_sh3 = 
| pattern_so3 = 
| leftarm3 = 
| body3 = 
| rightarm3 = 
| shorts3 = 
| socks3 = 
| pattern_name3 = <!--optional, default: Third colours -->
| current = 
| stadium = [[Levy Mwanawasa Stadium]], [[Ndola]]
| Coordinates = 
}}

'''ZESCO United Football Club''' (simply often known as '''ZESCO''') is a Zambian professional [[association football|football]] club based in [[Ndola]], that competes in the [[Zambia Super League]]. Founded in 1974, the team plays its home matches at the [[Levy Mwanawasa Stadium]].

The club is wholly owned and sponsored by the state owned electricity supplier [[ZESCO]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lusakatimes.com/2013/05/27/zesco-utd-embrace-big-bus-theory/ |title=Zesco Utd embrace big bus theory |publisher=Lusaka Times |date=2013-05-27 |access-date=2013-11-17}}</ref>

==History and records==
ZESCO United was founded in 1974. They became the first Zambian club to qualify for the [[CAF Champions League]] group stage in 2009. ZESCO United are one of only 3 [[Zambia]]n clubs including [[Nkana F.C.|Nkana]] and [[Green Buffaloes F.C.|Green Buffaloes]] who hold an all time unbeaten home record against non Zambian opposition.{{Cn|date=May 2025}} ZESCO United also became the first Zambian Club in the 21st century to play against European opposition when they played against [[FC Zenit Saint Petersburg|Zenit Saint Petersburg]] in Abu Dhabi in 2008.{{Cn|date=May 2025}}

They reached their first ever semi finals of the CAF African Champions League after a 2–2 draw away to Egyptian league champions [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]] in Matchday 5 of the 2016 CAF Champions' League quarter final group stage.<ref name="Africa: Success Story Coming From Zambian Club Zesco Utd in African Club Championship">{{cite news|title=Africa: Success Story Coming From Zambian Club Zesco Utd in African Club Championship|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201608310144.html}}</ref>

They extended their all time unbeaten home record against non Zambian teams to 26 games on Saturday, 17 September 2016, after a 2–1 home win against South African league champions [[Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.|Mamelodi Sundowns]] in the CAF Champions League.<ref name="Puncherello Chama gives his analysis of Zesco's win over Sundowns in the African Champions League semifinal 1st leg">{{cite news|title=Puncherello Chama gives his analysis of Zesco's win over Sundowns in the African Champions League semi-final 1st leg|url=http://zescounitedfceuros.wixsite.com/zescounitedeurofans/single-post/2016/09/19/Puncherello-Chama-gives-his-analysis-of-Zescos-win-over-Sundowns-in-the-African-Champions-League-semifinal-1st-leg}}</ref>

The club also created history by being the first Zambian club to sign Asian players, with [[Kosuke Nakamachi]] from [[Japan national football team|Japan]].

== Stadium ==
Before mid-2012, ZESCO United played its home games at the Trade Fair grounds in the industrial area of [[Ndola]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-04-23 |title=Zambia : Zesco Fail To Crack Al Ahly |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2011/04/23/al-ahly-hold-zesco-united-in-ndola/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-10-30 |title=Zambia : Zesco United Surrender League Title |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2011/10/30/zesco-united-surrender-league-title/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=allAfrica.com: Zambia: No Excuses This Time, Zesco Told |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201106010224.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20110603153712/http://allafrica.com:80/stories/201106010224.html |archive-date=2011-06-03 |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=allafrica.com}}</ref> After the [[Levy Mwanawasa Stadium]] opened in June 2012,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-06-02 |title=Zambia : President Sata officially commissions Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, promises 10 more such facilities in Zambia |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2012/06/02/president-sata-officially-commissions-levy-mwanawasa-stadium-promises-10-facilities-zambia/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |language=en-GB}}</ref> ZESCO United shifted to playing its home games at the new stadium.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2013-04-19 |title=Zambia : Chembo Turns to Trio to Down Power Dynamos |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2013/04/19/chembo-turns-to-trio-to-down-power-dynamos/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The Trade Fair grounds remain a venue for ZESCO United to host matches when they need an alternative venue from the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, such as when the stadium has scheduled maintenance works.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2013-05-20 |title=Zesco United F.C shifts its remaining fixtures to Ndola Trade Fair grounds {{!}} Lusaka Voice |url=https://lusakavoice.com/2013/05/20/zanis-sports-copy-zesco-united-f-c-shifts-its-remaining-fixtures-to-ndola-trade-fair-grounds/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Army Worms Invade Levy Stadium, ZESCO United Resorts To Trade Fair |url=https://tumfweko15.rssing.com/chan-4220778/article1284.html |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=tumfweko15.rssing.com}}</ref><ref>[https://zescounitedfc.co.zm/2023/09/28/zesco-united-to-play-home-games-from-trade-fair-grounds/ ZESCO UNITED TO PLAY HOME GAMES FROM TRADE FAIR GROUNDS]</ref>

==Achievements==
*'''[[Zambian Premier League]]: 9'''
::2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
::Runner up : 2005, 2009, 2013, 2016, 2022, 2023

*'''[[Zambian Cup]]: 1'''
::2006
::Finalist : 2007

*'''[[Zambian Charity Shield]]: 5'''
::2007, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2021

*'''[[ABSA Cup (Zambia)|ABSA Cup]]: 6'''
::2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2025
::Finalist : 2021

*'''[[Zambian Coca-Cola Cup]]: 1'''
::2007

*'''[[Zambian Division One]]: 2'''
::1980, 2003

==Performance in CAF competitions==
*'''[[CAF Champions League]]: 9 appearances'''
::[[2008 CAF Champions League|2008]] – last 32
::[[2009 CAF Champions League|2009]] – group stage (top 8)
::[[2011 CAF Champions League|2011]] – last 16
::[[2015 CAF Champions League|2015]] – last 32
::[[2016 CAF Champions League|2016]] – semi-finals
::[[2018 CAF Champions League|2018]] – group stage (top 16)
::[[2018–19 CAF Champions League|2019]] – first round
::[[2019–20 CAF Champions League|2020]] – group stage (top 16)
::[[2021–22 CAF Champions League|2022]] – preliminary round

*'''[[CAF Confederation Cup]]: 6 appearances'''
::[[2006 CAF Confederation Cup|2006]] – first round
::[[2010 CAF Confederation Cup|2010]] – first round
::[[2013 CAF Confederation Cup|2013]] – last 16
::[[2014 CAF Confederation Cup|2014]] – second round
::[[2017 CAF Confederation Cup|2017]] – quarter-finals
::[[2018–19 CAF Confederation Cup|2019]] – group stage (top 16)

==Players==

===Current squad===
''As of 3 May 2021.''

{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no= 1|nat=ZAM|name=[[Jacob Banda]]|pos=GK|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 2|nat=ZAM|name=Solomon Sakala|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no= 3|nat=ZAM|name=Fackson Kapumbu|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no= 4|nat=ZAM|name=Edward Tembo|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no= 5|nat=DRC|name=Marcel Kalonda|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no= 6|nat=ZAM|name=[[Simon Silwimba]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no= 10|nat=ZAM|name=[[Winston Kalengo]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no= 11|nat=ZAM|name=[[John Ching'andu]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no= 14|nat=ZAM|name=[[Adrian Chama]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no= 16|nat=BUR|name=Dieudonné Ntibahezwa|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no= 17|nat=ZAM|name=Logic Ching'andu|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no= 18|nat=ZAM|name=[[Kondwani Mtonga]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no= 20|nat=ZIM|name=[[Thabani Kamusoko]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no= 21|nat=ZAM|name=[[Daut Musekwa]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no= 22|nat=ZAM|name=[[Mwape Mwelwa]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no= 25|nat=KEN|name=[[Jesse Were]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no= 26|nat=ZAM|name=[[Mwila Phiri]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no= 27|nat=ZAM|name=[[Clement Mwape]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no= 28|nat=ZAM|name=Lameck Nyangu|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no= 30|nat=ZAM|name=Samson Banda|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no= |nat=ZAM|name=[[Toaster Nsabata]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no= |nat=KEN|name=[[Ian Otieno]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no= |nat=ZAM|name=[[Donashano Malama]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no= |nat=ZAM|name=Bernard Mapili|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no= |nat=ZAM|name=[[Kelvin Kampamba]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no= |nat=ZAM|name=Bruce Musakanya|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no= |nat=ZIM|name=[[Tafadzwa Rusike]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no= |nat=ZAM|name=Chitiya Mususu|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no= |nat=KEN|name=[[John Makwatta|John Makwata]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs end}}

==Former players==

* {{flagicon|DR Congo}} [[Marcel Kalonda]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://footballpink.net/the-congolese-harimau-my-name-is-marcel-kalonda-and-i-am-malaysian/|title=A Malayan tiger in Zambia: 'My name is Marcel Kalonda, and I am Malaysian'|date=15 June 2020 |publisher=footballpink.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/fam-ends-marcel-kalonda-links-after-documentation-snag/s93ezd8ofefv1bq5grj20n3a1|title=FAM ends Marcel Kalonda links after documentation snag|publisher=goal.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.zescounitedfc.co.zm/}}

{{Zambian Premier League}}
[[Category:Football clubs in Zambia]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1974]]
[[Category:Ndola]]
[[Category:1974 establishments in Zambia]]