Maestro United Zambia F.C.
 | |
| Full name | Maestro United Zambia Academy Football Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Elegant Dynamites |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Ground | Nakambala Stadium |
| Capacity | 5,000 |
| Chairman | Keith Bebeto Mweemba |
| Manager | Mathews Ndhlovu |
| League | Zambia Super League |
| 2022–23 | Zambia Super League, 2nd of 18 |
Maestro United Zambia Football Club or simply MUZA FC[1][2] is a professional football club based in Mazabuka, Zambia. The club was founded in 2007 as Manchester United Zambian Academy Football Club and was later renamed Maestro United Zambia Academy Football Club in 2019. The club was established by Lusaka lawmaker Keith Bebeto Mweemba.[3][1][4][5]
2007–present
[edit]Maestro United, made its debut in the country's top-tier football league during the 58th season in 2019. However, their initial stint in the league was short-lived, as they were subsequently relegated to division one within the same season.
The club earned promotion a second time and was able to compete in the 62nd season of the Zambian Super League in the 2022–23 season.[6] They achieved the 2nd place during their second season in the top flight.[7] The club participated in the ABSA Cup in the same season and reached for the first time the grand final.[8][9] They lost the final against Forest Rangers 0–2, after beating Red Arrows in the quarter-finals 2-0[10] and Trident F.C. in the semi-finals 1–0.
Zambia Super League
[edit]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Power Dynamos (C) | 34 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 48 | 19 | +29 | 65 | Qualification for Champions League |
| 2 | Maestro United | 34 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 43 | 28 | +15 | 59 | Qualification for Confederation Cup |
| 3 | ZESCO United | 34 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 46 | 27 | +19 | 55 | |
| 4 | Green Buffaloes | 34 | 13 | 16 | 5 | 41 | 29 | +12 | 55 | |
| 5 | Napsa Stars | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 40 | 26 | +14 | 51 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) head-to-head points; 5) head-to-head goal difference
(C) Champions
CAF Confederation Cup
[edit]MUZA made its inaugural appearance in continental competition by securing a spot in the 2023–24 CAF Confederation Cup qualifying rounds after clinching second place in Zambia's Super league. In their opening round of fixtures, they faced off against Equatorial Guinea's Cano Sport, emerging victorious with a 4–1 aggregate score.[11][12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Dube, Godfrey (2023-02-13). "We're winners - MUZA owner". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ "MUZA FC will next season represent Zambia in the CAF Confederation Cup". Mwebantu. 2023-05-13. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ Kalemba (2023-05-14). "16 year old Maestro United Zambia (MUZA) FC to fly!". Kalemba News. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ Jr, Richard Mwila (2023-03-02). "FC MUZA coach sends a daring message to Red Arrows ahead of ABSA Cup clash". Bolanews. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ ZamFoot (2020-04-04). "Lameck Golden Banda, from a boy with a big dream to a Nakambala captain and coach - ZamFoot". Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ zamobserver (2022-04-10). "MUZA FC wins promotion to Super League". Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ "FC Muza up to second in MTN Super League". SuperSport. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ ZamFoot (2023-03-13). "Trident, Muza silence big guns to storm Absa Cup semis - ZamFoot". Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ sports (2023-04-10). "Zambia : MUZA Down Trident To Set Up ABSA Cup Final Date Against Forest". Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ "Newcomers MUZA and Trident Make History by Securing Spots in Absa Cup Semi-finals!". Zedsoccer. 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ "Zambia : Maestro United FC (MUZA) Secures CAF Confederation Cup Next Round Spot with Convincing Win". 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ "CAF Champions League debut looms for Beby Onka Musangala - ZamFoot". 2023-08-26. Retrieved 2023-09-01.