CAF Champions League semi finalists Zesco United will on Wednesday afternoon depart for South Africa for the second leg of the 2016 CAF Champions League semi final match against Mamelodi Sundowns.
George Lwandamina released his 20 man traveling squad which has seen influential midfielder Clatous Chama return to the team after missing the firs leg owing to suspension.
The Ndola based side carry a 2 – 1 lead into the second leg and will need to avoid defeat in Pretoria but could progress with a loss by a goal as long as they score two.
The team departs Ndola at 13:25hrs.
The match will be played at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday, 24th 2016 at 19∶30 hours.
Goalkeepers:Â Jacob Banda, Lameck Nyangu, Brown Nyirenda
Defenders:Â Ben Adama Banh, David Owino Odhiambo, Simon Silwimba, Daut Musekwa, Bernard Mapili, Ayo Oluwafemi
Midfielders:Â Anthony Akumu Agay, Misheck Chaila, Clatous Chota Chama, John Chingandu, Kondwani Mtonga, Maybin Mwaba, Mwelwa Mwape
Strikers:Â Jesse Jackson Were, Jackson Mwanza, Idris Ilunga Mbombo, Lazarous Kambole
Zesco epitomise rise of Zambian football
By Nkareng Matshe | Sep 21, 2016 | COMMENTS [ 1 ]
Mamelodi Sundowns may have other ideas, but Zesco United could add another fillip to Zambian football should they secure a place in the CAF Champions League final this weekend at the expense of the SA side.
Sundowns must overturn a 2-1 deficit to deny Zesco a place in next month’s final, when the sides meet in Atteridgeville on Saturday for the semifinal second leg (Lucas Moripe Stadium, 7.30pm).
But whatever happens, the Zesco story of confounding critics and reaching this stage after credible victories over the likes of Al-Ahly, Asec Mimosa and possibly Sundowns, epitomises the rise of Zambian club football.
No longer are the teams from SA’s neighbouring country getting into continental football merely to add the numbers.
According to Ponga Liwewe, the secretary-general of the Football Association of Zambia, the local game in the country has improved mainly because it is now receiving the recognition it deserves. “We now have matches on television. Previously, it was not the case,” he said, after broadcaster SuperSport signed a deal with the FAZ to show live domestic matches.
That deal, according to Liwewe, attracted much-needed financial corporate backing for most of the local teams, including Zesco.
“The clubs now can attract players from outside this country. We’ve had players from DR Congo, Kenya and other parts of Africa. The salaries are also improving. The TV deal has opened the market because companies can advertise on the front of the teams’ kits.”
This has forced Zambian teams to professionalise their management structures instead of using people employed elsewhere to run their administration. Zesco, which is owned by the Zambia Electricity Authority, for instance, was administered by people employed in the power utility on a caretaker basis. “That’s not the case anymore because they (Zesco) realised a football club must stand on its own,” Liwewe said.
SuperSport are in the process of expanding their offices in Lusaka, with a new studio being built, which would provide them with the capacity to help grow the Zambian game. The national team is also in the process of rebuilding, with Gordon Igesund set to be named as coach ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifiers, where they are drawn against Algeria, Cameroon and Nigeria.
Zesco, meanwhile, arrive in the country today for Saturday’s match.
l Matshe was in Zambia as a guest of SuperSport
I see Team Yaziko pulling a surprise in Pretoria, they have all what it takes. Now with the inclusion of Clatous Chama we might be the first ones even to score.
Good luck to ZEGA. Don’t be intimidated by anything. Play with “HEART” and you will be victorious come match day.
Sundowns are just like any other team you have played. This game will be won in the middle of the park. This is what makes Sundowns tick. The don’t have a potent strike force but most of their goals come from their midfielders.
zesco will progress to the final because of the way they handle away games
go zesco chipolopolo go.the entire Zambia is behind you.
Good luck
All the best Zesco. We are behind you.
From my assessment zesco’ striking force is unstoppable by Sundowns’ defence if only they use themselves. They have what it takes to win
From my assessment zesco’ striking force is unstoppable by Sundowns’ defence if only they use themselves. They have what it takes to win