Tue, 19 Sep 2017 13:37:21 +0000
By Grace Chaile Lesoesta
ZESCO United aim to use today’s rescheduled Week 28 match against visiting Lumwana Radiants as a preparatory match for this Saturday’s CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final return leg against Supersport United of South Africa.
Zesco recorded a barren draw in South Africa last Friday and will need a win when they host the South African giants at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium to secure a semi-final spot.
The Ndola outfit seeks an outright win against Lumwana whom they beat 1-0 away last month to get back in contention for the 2017 MTN-FAZ League title, following their relegation to sixth place with 46 points on the log at the weekend
With two games in hand, Zesco must conquer to climb three rungs on the log. Green Buffaloes lead the pack with 53 points after humiliating defending champions Zanaco 2-0 in the first of the double header played at Nkoloma Stadium on Sunday and the bankers dropped to second on the table with 50 points.
The 2015 champions troop to the pitch this afternoon against a wounded Solwezi based side, which lost to Zanaco 2-3 in its last league match on September 9 at National Heroes Stadium.
Zesco coach Zlatko Krmpotic is confident his side will pick a win in today’s encounter.
“We are playing this match three days before taking on Supersport. A win will be a morale boaster for the team. Lumwana is a good side so we will not underrate them,” Krmpotic said.
But Lumwana coach Aggrey Chiyangi said Zesco must be geared up for an uphill battle.
“It is not going to be easy, but we are determined to collect the three points,” he said. Lumwana are ninth on the log with 39 points.
