For the first time in Zambia’s history of teams competing in the Confederation Cup, two of its teams are in the lucrative group stage which represents better chances of the crown coming to Zambia. One of the two teams carrying National hopes will be Zesco United F.C who over the years has grown in leaps and bounds on the continent.
How far can the Ndola side go? How much do they have in their repertoire to Match Power Dynamo’s exploits in 1991 of winning a continental trophy (Mandela Cup- present day Confederation Cup)? Become Zambia’s second side to bring National glory from continental exploits.
Competing against defending champions Raja Casablanca, Record holders CS Sfaxien and another former winner in Etoile Sahel, here is why they must be taken seriously.
AFRICAN GIANT-Consecutive Late Stage Appearances
They are a confirmed giant on the continent and their being in the group stages consecutively for the last three seasons is further testament. Only three editions ago, they made the Semi Finals of the top tier CAF competition with almost the same crop of players. They may not have kicked on from there but the manner in which they dispatched much fancied Chiefs signals they are ready to take on all comers.
EXPERIENCE AT THE TOP
In their group alongside Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Al Hilal and Nkana only they and AL Hilal have made playing in CAF competitions appear like a birth right. From the famous Jonas Sakuwaha hat trick night in Khatoum 10 years ago when they announced their ‘arrival’ on the international scene, they have been on an upward trajectory.
They hold an advantage over all their rivals in the group on the experience gathered in this period and Mtonga and Banda still surviving and bearing the torch 10 years on.
TRANSFERING LOCAL DOMINANCE
Zesco have dominated the local front for the last 12 years and at times have done so nonchalantly. With due respect to other competitors locally, they at times have looked peerless and at times one may think they only compete locally to grant passage to CAF games.
They will be looking to turn their local dominance continental and make themselves feel at home. With all their investments, African glory will be their target and last four of Champions league should be primary target and now that they are relegated to the second tier competition, they should target gold.
BUILT FOR AFRICA
The Zesco recruitment team has recruited far and wide over the years and even the appointment of Zlatko Krympotic two seasons ago was another indication.
The wealth of players they have both in quantity and quality suggests they should challenge favourably on all fronts they enter. Rotations shouldn’t slow them down or disrupt them. They have gunned for top players from East Africa, local clubs and found a way to remain competitive.
Their collection of International players adds to their advantage as these players are well exposed to high octane matches, gruelling encounters and performing at the very highest level and cannot be caught up even with big game euphemism.
Both their quality in personnel and organisation can make them go face to face with any of Africa’s famed side and come out unscathed.
TECHNICAL BENCH
Their assembly on the bench boasts a wealth of experience both as players and coaches from head coach to goalkeeper coach. Led by George Lwandamina ,they boast International experience in club football, age restricted Africa and World Cup, Senior National team coaching and ‘know how’ in any circumstance that matches may bring forth.
Lwandamina and his trusted lieutenants have amassed great experience and this stage is not new to them. The expectation is that all they have learnt in previous campaigns will be used and deliver the desired results. They are able to find a way to win matches. They can be flashy on one day and work man like on another day yet get the result.
THE ELEMENTARIES
Beyond these and on the footballing side, they are able to win home matches, able to play their own game irrespective of the opposition, are able to score and defend reasonably well and above all have great game management. All these will serve them well in CAF.
They have enough to power their way to Confederation Cup Gold.
