Zanaco aim to tame Wydad

Sat, 08 Jul 2017 13:14:04 +0000

By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA

 ZANACO will tonight aim to break Wydad Casablanca’s proud home record when the two sides clash in a CAF Champions’ League Group D final game at Stade Mohamed Martil in Morocco.

A draw will ensure Zanaco not only qualify, but also finish as group leaders and set up a possible quarter-final clash against defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.

Zanaco lead the table with 11 points while second-placed Wydad have nine, a point better than Egyptian giants Al Ahly, while Coton Sport of Cameroon is without a point.

The bankers are unbeaten so far and have not conceded away from home, putting Wydad’s proud home record under severe scrutiny.

Wydad lost 1-0 to Zanaco in Lusaka, so the North African side have an idea of what to expect from the Zambian outfit.

Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba said Wydad will not be able to stop his side from reaching the quarter-finals.

“Nothing can stop Zanaco from storming the quarter-finals. We have come this far and Wydad cannot stop us. The boys are mentally and physically ready for the challenge,”

“I have faith in the boys that they will deliver,” he said.

Mumamba is excited with the return of defender Ziyo Tembo who was on suspension and missed the Al Ahly game last Saturday.

Wydad coach Michel Decastel said the team is not under-pressure in anyway.

“Zanaco is not a small team so we are prepared for any surprises. We lost in Lusaka, but we will not accept defeat at our own backyard. It will be a tough game, whatever the case, Wydad has to qualify to the next stage,” Decastel said.