Krmpotic hails ‘determined’ Zesco

Wed, 12 Apr 2017 06:27:22 +0000

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

ZESCO United head coach Zlatko Krmpotic has congratulated his boys for their performance in the 2-2 draw away against Nigeria’s Enugu Rangers in the pre-group stage encounter on Sunday at Nnadi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu state.

And Rangers coach Imama Amapakabo was yesterday suspended by his club management for the draw with Zesco following his failure to meet the three-match win ultimatum.

Club spokesperson Foster Chimem said the supporters were restless over the poor performance of the club.

Chimem said that the decision was prompted by the supporters’ reaction toward the coach after the 2-2 draw with Zesco on Sunday. “The supporters nearly beat him up after we conceded the two goals’ advantage within four minutes to the Zambians. Some supporters went after him; if it had not been for the security personnel that escorted him out, it would have been a calamity,” he said.

And in an interview with journalists after the match, Krmpotic said he was impressed with the offensive type of football his boys showcased at the Nnadi Azikiwe Stadium, especially in the second half. “I think about my team and I think we played well today,” Krmpotic said.

“Zesco is a big club. We will continue playing the offensive type of football we played against Rangers, especially in the second half.

“Our focus will now shift to the second game. We will prepare so that we can be able to qualify to the group stage,” he added.

Kenya international, David Owino Odiambo, the scorer of the first goal for Zesco, said it was unfortunate his team failed to collect three points against the Flying Antelopes of Enugu.

Owino noted that the two away goals gives Zesco the advantage to progress to the group stages.

“We got here with a plan to win. It was unfortunate we drew but it is also a good result considering that we were playing away from home.

“This is football. Anything is possible but as Zesco United, we are determined to qualifying to the group stages,” Owino said.

Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium will host the second leg this weekend with Zesco needing only a draw to qualify and Rangers a win to go further.

A scoreless draw will however be enough for the Ndola giants to progress to the group stages of the CAF Confederations Cup tournament.