NUMBA NOT WORRIED
…Charity Shield final time for revenge – Zesco coach
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZESCO United Football Club coach Mumamba Numba says he is not worried about the absence of four key players who are with the national team as the club prepares for Saturday’s Samuel Zoom Ndhlovu Charity Shield final against Lusaka Dynamos.
Numba said the absence of four key players – Simon Silwimba, Solomon Sakala, Dickson Champa and Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba – will give him the chance to assess the new signings. In an interview with Zesco United media team, Numba said the new players will have to start playing as soon as possible to adapt and get used to the team’s playing style.
“Our preparations have been going on well and the team is ready for the competition. It is unfortunate that they had to push the game further after a week. As such we thought of organising a friendly game against Jumulo to assess everyone’s fitness levels,” Numba said.
“So far everyone is looking good. They are responding to training and we are very happy with their feedback, especially the new guys that have come. They have shown the determination and have also brought competition to the team.”
After over a month of preparations for the new season which was capped with a camp in Chipata, Numba said the Ndola giants are ready the league’s curtain raiser scheduled for the MTN Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday.
Numba believes that Saturday’s final provides a great opportunity for Zesco to make amends and avenge their 2021 Absa Cup final defeat to Lusaka Dynamos. “This is another game in which we need to make amends. We lost to Lusaka Dynamos in the final. This is an opportunity to make amends by winning the Charity Shield final on Saturday,” Numba said.
Meanwhile, Numba has tipped South Sudanese national team captain and Zesco United defender Peter Maker Manyang to make a mark at the club.