ZESCO United F.C.

{{Short description|Association football club in Zambia}} {{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 =  | chairman = Richard Mulenga | mgrtitle =  | manager = George Lwandamina | coach = | league = Zambia Super League | season = 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 = 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 = White and green | kit_alt3 = | pattern_la3 = | pattern_b3 = | pattern_ra3 = | pattern_sh3 = | pattern_so3 = | leftarm3 = | body3 = | rightarm3 = | shorts3 = | socks3 = | pattern_name3 =  | current = | stadium = Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola | Coordinates = }}

'''ZESCO United Football Club''' (simply often known as '''ZESCO''') is a Zambian professional 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 Zambian clubs including Nkana and 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 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 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 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 became the first Zambian club to sign an Asian player, Kosuke Nakamachi from Japan.

In April 2026, the club was suspended from the Zambian Premier League for taking its grievance on being disqualified from the ABSA Cup to a public court of law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 3, 2026 |title=Zambia : Zesco United suspension raise dust |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2026/04/03/zesco-united-suspension-raise-dust/ |access-date=2026-04-03 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== 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=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603153712/http://allafrica.com/stories/201106010224.html |archive-date=2011-06-03 |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=allafrica.com |url-status=live }}</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]{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

==Achievements== *'''Zambian Premier League: 9''' ::2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020–21 ::Runner up : 2005, 2009, 2013, 2016, 2021–22, 2023–24, 2024–25

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

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

*'''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 – last 32 ::2009 – group stage (top 8) ::2011 – last 16 ::2015 – last 32 ::2016 – semi-finals ::2018 – group stage (top 16) ::2019 – first round ::2020 – group stage (top 16) ::2022 – preliminary round

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

==Players==

===Current squad=== ''As of 13 Dec 2025.'' {{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no= 2|nat=ZAM|name=Solomon Sakala|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no= 3|nat=ZAM|name=Fred Mwiche|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no= 5|nat=ZAM|name=Kabaso Chongo|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no= 6|nat=ZAM|name=David Simukonda|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no= 7|nat=ZAM|name=Kelvin Kampamba|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no= 8|nat=NGA|name=Pepo Ifoni|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no= 9|nat=TCD|name=Amine Hiver|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no= 10|nat=ZAM|name=Alex Ngonga|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no= 12|nat=ZAM|name=Samson Ngoma|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no= 13|nat=ZAM|name=Gift Mphande|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no= 14|nat=ZAM|name=Anthony Chiyuka|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no= 17|nat=ZAM|name=Abraham Siankombo|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no= 18|nat=CMR|name=Vitalis Gantar|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no= 19|nat=ZAM|name=Leonard Mulenga|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no= 21|nat=ZAM|name=Shemmy Mayembe|pos=DF}} {{Fs mid}} {{Fs player|no= 23|nat=ZAM|name=Samson Mkandawire|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no= 24|nat=ZAM|name=Pascal Phiri|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no= 25|nat=SWZ|name=Lindo Mkhonta|pos=DF|other=captain}} {{Fs player|no= 26|nat=ZAM|name=Mathews Chabala|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no= 27|nat=NGA|name=Chijoke Alaekwe|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no= 28|nat=ZAM|name=Peter Musukuma|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no= 29|nat=CIV|name=Freddy Michael|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no= 30|nat=ZAM|name=Benedict Chepeshi|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no= 31|nat=BFA|name=Sibiri Sanou|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no= 32|nat=ZAM|name=Levison Banda|pos=GK}} {{Fs player|no= 35|nat=NGA|name=Victor Sochima|pos=GK}} {{Fs player|no= 39|nat=ZAM|name=Anthony Kalima|pos=GK}} {{Fs player|no= 40|nat=ZAM|name=Philip Sakauta|pos=GK}} {{Fs player|no= 43|nat=ZAM|name=Zakaria Chilongoshi|pos=DF}} {{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