Wed, 27 Sep 2017 13:39:25 +0000
By Grace Chaile Lesoetsa
KITWE United coach Enerst Kofi says his side will not allow Zesco United to stop their objective of reaching the semi-finals of the Barclays Cup competition.
The two sides clash today in the tournament’s quarter-final at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
Kofi said the Buchi Boys were alive to the threat posed by Zesco but was adequately prepared for the challenge.
“We are well prepared for Zesco and we will not give up on our target to reach the semi-finals. Zesco are coming into the game as champions and we respect them for that, yet not intimidated,” he said.
Kofi said the team will approach the game with a lot of caution.
Kitwe booked a quarter-final spot after a 1-0 win over Division One Zone Four side New Monze swallows in the preliminary round at Nkoloma Stadium on September 6.
However, Zesco are chasing for a sixth title of the prestigious tournament.
Zesco will use today’s clash to make amends for last week’s disappointing performance, suffering an ejection from the CAF Confederation Cup competition following a 2-2 draw against SuperSport United in the quarter-final return leg and also a 3-0 defeat to Lumwana Radiants in their own backyard.
They will come into the game as favourites to pick a win having won the prestigious competition a record five times -2007, 2008, 2010, 2014 and 2016.
The two sides have met six times in the Super League with three wins for Zesco, one for Kitwe and two draws.
Zlatko Krmpotic had declared his ambitions to win both the Super League and the Barclays Cup.
Krmpotic has charged that the team was ready for Kitwe and will put in their best to qualify to the semi-final.
“It will be a tricky match. The team is ready for the task and targeting victory,” he said.
