Zambian Champions Zesco United take on Nkana at Nkoloma Stadium on Saturday in the Charity Shield final.
Straight from the midweek woes that saw all the three Zambian sides remaining in Africa fail to register victories, there’s now a shift in the focus of the season curtain raiser.
When Green Buffaloes who finished fourth last season where thrashed 4-0 in North Africa, the defeat was attributed to lack of foreigners in the squad by social media commentators.
Fast track to this week after Zanaco, Zesco United and Nkana all suffered defeats, the blame has now shifted to local coaches and the calender of the local league season which will only kick off next week.
While Zanaco will have to wait for that away tie in the CAF Champions League against Mbabane Swallows next week, it’s not the case for the Kopala sides.
Unlike the semi finals which saw both sides name their second tier sides, the clash at Lusaka’s Nkoloma Stadium will see fully fledged sides.
It’s the repeat of last year, and Nkana will be hoping to revenge the 2-0 defeat they suffered.
Though Kalampa will be without talisman Walter Bwalya, coach Beston Chambeshi has enough fire power upfront to unsettle the Zesco back line which will be marshalled by David Owino and Simon Silwimba.
Former Zesco United hit man Idriss Mbombo is expected to lead the attack for Kalampa.
In some quarters, Nkana’s 3-0 defeat to CR Belouizdad was blamed on the absence of Donashamo Malama who has left for greener pastures in Morocco.
It will interesting to see how Kalampa will handle the Zesco midfield duo Kondwani Mtonga and Mwape Mwelwa.
Nkana have won the Charity Shield 14 times compared the Zesco’s four.
In the last three seasons, every time Zesco United have claimed the Charity Shield, they have gone on to win the league – 2015 and 2017.
