Sat, 10 Feb 2018 13:37:21 +0000
By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
ZANACO today begin their CAF Champions League title chase against the Gambia Armed Forces in a preliminary round first leg clash billed for Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
In Zanzibar, FAZ/MTN league champions Zesco United will be looking for a seemingly easy victory past that country’s Jeshi la Kujenga Uchumi (JKU) this afternoon at Amaan Stadium.
The top two Zambian sides are confident of picking up victories in their respective fixtures.
Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba has smelt victory over the Gambian soldiers as he eyes a slot in the first round of Africa’s prestigious club football showpiece.
After crashing out of the competition at group stage last year, Numba says the team is not under pressure and is just aiming at posting a cricket margin against the Gambians.
“We have done our homework and we are now looking forward to the game. The boys are in high spirits as they take on the Gambian side,” he said.
The Gambians, who kept Zanaco guessing overtheir arrival, touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport yesterday afternoon.
Numba will miss the services of winger Augustine Mulenga who recently signed a two-year deal with Orlando Pirates of South Africa despite the latter not playing in Africa’s biggest club football competition.
In Zanzibar, interim coach Tenant Chembo declared Zesco ready for the task against the hosts JKU, during yesterday’s pre-match press conference in the East African Island.
Chembo has assembled an 18-man squad, which has seen the return of hitman Winston Kalengo, who has re-joined the Ndola outfit after a two-year stint at AC Leopards of Congo-Brazzaville.
This will be JKU’s second appearance in the CAF Champions League after their first attempt last year in which they were booted out in the first round.
