Tue, 13 Feb 2018 08:26:19 +0000
By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
ZAMBIA national team coach Wedson Nyirenda believes Green Buffaloes can overturn the 4-0 first-leg bashing the Zambia Army sponsored side suffered at the hands of Egyptian giants Al Masry last Saturday.
The two teams will lock horns next Tuesday in the CAF Confederation Cup return leg of the preliminary round.
In an interview, Nyirenda said scoring five unanswered goals was an uphill battle, therefore there is need for tactical discipline and hard work on the part of Buffaloes to advance to the first round of the competition. The Chipolopolo mentor said Buffaloes should not surrender as they were capable of overturning the result.
“Buffaloes had a bad start and having conceded four goals puts them in an awkward position ahead of the return leg. But I have faith in coach Bilton Musonda and his team that they can overturn the result and qualify to the next round. The team just need to work extra hard and learn from the mistakes, it’s not yet over,” Nyirenda said.
He said the team needed everyone’s support to do better in the return leg against the Egyptian side.
Meanwhile, Nyirenda said CAF Champions League envoys Zesco United’s goalless draw against hosts Jeshi la Kujenga Uchumi (JKU) of Zanzibar was not a bad result. He hailed Zesco for managing to collect an away point which was not easy.
He said the Ndola outfit needs to maintain a positive spirit to pick victory in the return leg next week.
“They put up a good challenge to hold the hosts JKU. I believe they are not far from qualification provided they remain focused and work on the lessons learnt. Zesco has maintained a good record at home which they will surely extend,” he said. And on Zanaco, Nyirenda said the bankers had a good team and ensured they grabbed a win at home to get an advantage over Gambia Armed Forces.
“Zanaco deserved the victory, they played well. They have a good coach in Mumamba Numba and great combination of players,” he said. He urged the bankers not to relent but aim for a double over the Gambian side.
Zanaco humbled Gambia Armed Forces 3-0 in the first leg Champions League at Nkoloma Stadium last Saturday.
The bankers will be away in Gambia in the return leg on February 24, 2018.
