Sibeleki on Monday
Zambia’s envoys in the 2018-19 CAF Confederation Cup Zesco United and Nkana have once again proved beyond any doubt that they are the prima dona from Zambia’s shores following their qualification for the group stages of Africa’s second tier’s fiesta.
On Saturday, oh boy oh boy Zesco United did the unthinkable when they reduced Kaizer Chiefs to a kindergarten side on their doorstep at FBN Soccer City Stadium.
The 2001 CAF Cup Winners Cup Champions; the competition which subsequently in 2004 merged to the now CAF Confederation Cup – were silenced  5-2 on aggregate by a Zesco United side whose recent visits to South Africa have all ended disastrously.
Meanwhile Nkana in offshore, far away from home at “Chilata” where fans clamber branches of trees for a glance when their beloved team is in action – managed to bite the bullet by holding San Pedro to a goalless scoreline, consequently qualified for the 2018-19 CAF Confederation Cup group stages on 3-0 aggregate.
Well done Zesco United. A job well done Nkana.
The two sides, intertwined have in the past year been running the show on the local scene. Hence it’s not a surprise that their domestic dominance has now been translated to the continent and this Saturday when they clash in the Super division season’s curtain raiser – the Samuel Zoom Ndhlovu Charity Shield – the clash will unequivocal be a box office success.
PREMATURE CELEBRATIONS
To pop the champagne in an act of euphoria at this juncture could be premature. We must save the celebrations for later when either Zesco United or Nkana mints gold.
We are in affirmative with the FAZ President Andrew Kamanga who is quoted in the local press to have said the Copperbelt giants have the wherewithal to break the ceiling and win the Confederation Cup trophy.
A window of opportunity has been availed to once again firmly put Zambian club football where it belonged in the 90s – when our clubs: Nkans Red Devils, “Mighty” Mufulira Wanderers, Power Dynamos, Kabwe Warriors et al bestrode African football.
With two representation in the group stages the chances for either of the Zambian sides to clinch Africa’s second most coveted club trophy are certainly above the lough.
This Column hence wishes both Zesco United and Nkana as they seek to negotiate their way to the final of the 2018-19 CAF Confederation Cup.
Meanwhile our previous weekly column attracted a mixed bag of reactions. For some like Big Steve from South Africa on the blog – the piece was baldly written like an African novel.
However for Guntamtambo Zulu and Poze Chinga’mbo on Facebook the write up was excellent. The latter further said the Column makes him want to read more and more. Well, there you have it folks. This week’s Column is out. Enjoy yourselves.
From me James Sibeleki here in the beautiful City of Livingstone, where Zambia and Zimbabwe are joined at the hip. The city which houses one of the seven wonders of the earth: the Mighty Victoria Falls – wishing you all readers of this Column a lovely football week and the Lord’s blessings. Adiós!
Asante Kotoko is coming for you