Zesco United sealed their defense of the MTN Super league with two games to go last weekend but on Thursday they returned to action as they hosted Choma-based Green Eagles.
The 2020/2021 MTN/FAZ Super League champions this time around failed to collect maximum points as they shared spoils with the Kawale Boys.
The draw puts Coach Aggrey Chiyangi’s team’s ambition to make a return to Continental football in jeopardy but the gaffer was not so disappointed with the result.
Chiyangi is hopeful and looking forward to bagging the three points if an opportunity presented itself in the coming games.
“The most important thing is that the team has worked, despite them not scoring and again they defended very well,” Chiyangi said.
“When you travel, and can’t score, make sure the other team doesn’t score,” he continued.
With only two rounds of matches left to play until the end of the season, Fans have indeed adapted to the new normal, where they are not allowed in the stadium due to Covid -19.
As the country continues to record high numbers of COVID-19 cases, and not knowing how far it will go, Chiyangi is happy that with only two fixtures remaining the season is coming to an end.
“I think we have to understand that the Covid-19 is very serious and dangerous, everyone has to understand and follow the rules that have been put in place because no one knows when they can get it,” he said.
“The effects on football are seen! when we look at certain teams, we can see how they are struggling for sponsorship, because they can not allow spectators in the stadium, meaning their income has gone down.”
“Going forward we don’t know how far this is going to go in Zambia, but the only goodness with football is that we are only remaining with 2weeks, and then we will close the league,” he added.
Meanwhile, ZESCO United head coach Numba Mumamba described the match as ‘exciting’ and was quick to heap praise on the Kawale Boys.
“It was a very exciting game, Green Eagles were equal to the task, they defended very well, we thought we were going to break them but they stood strong and managed to get a point,” Numba said.
“It’s a game that everyone worked hard for both teams did well, defended and attacked, but as a team, we wanted to get the three points, unfortunately, we couldn’t manage, ” he added.
Numba who was comfortable with getting a point said, the team created numerous chances but couldn’t convert the chances into goals and hence the results. Coach Numba is looking forward to collecting maximum points in the remaining games.
“There is nothing like relaxing, all we need is to continue working hard so that we collect maximum points,” he said
“We have to work on our striking force so that we can convert those chances into goals,” he added.
Zesco United who secured a spot in the CAF Champions League after winning the league is considering bringing in more players to strengthen the team.
“The level of competition is different from the local league and we are looking into the issue of bringing in a few players to strengthen the team.”
Zesco who are 11points ahead of second-placed Zanaco will welcome Young Green Eagles in a Week 33 encounter at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium while Green Eagles welcome Forest Rangers at the independence Stadium in Choma
