By MUKWIMA CHILALA
ZAMBIA’S envoys in the CAF competitions this weekend begin their journey for the 2021/2022 season.
Champions Zesco United are away to Royal Leopards of eSwatini who they play in the first CAF Champions League preliminary fixture at the Mabuso Sports Ground in Manzini.
Zesco will seek to start on a high and will as favourites aim to finish off the match in the first of the preliminary stage.
Coach Numba Mumamba could start a strong side having made several high profile signings in the just ended market ahead of this competition.
In other CAF fixture today, Red Arrows return to continental action after a 12-year absence as they host Young Buffaloes of eSwatini at the Heroes Stadium.
Arrows are looking to stand their ground despite the long absence from the competition and taking on a more experienced side in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Arrows Technical Director Oswald Mutapa said the team will not be intimidated despite the experience of their opponents.
He said that the players’ fitness levels were high after undergoing a 10-day camp on the Copperbelt and playing one international friendly against Simba of Tanzania and a few other local clubs.
“The team is ready after our 10-day training on the Copperbelt and has given us some preparation because the fitness levels from the players are impressive,” Mutapa said.
“We are playing an experienced side but we have an ambitious team which is ready to represent Zambia,”
And Mutapa’s opposite Sabelo Missy is confident that his side is in Zambia to collect maximum points.
“We are here to start our journey and our target is to reach the group stage because we missed out last season,” he said.
Zambia’s other envoys in CAF competition Kabwe Warriors and Zanaco will be in action tomorrow as they are away in Madagascar and Equatorial Guinea respectively.
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