Zanaco in tricky North African job

Zambia’s representatives in continental football, Zanaco Football Club will this evening start their CAF Confederation Cup group stage campaign with a North African job.

Kick off @ 21h00 CAT & Live on Superport

The Bankers will battle a tricky CS Sfaxien side away at the Stade Olympique De R Tunis.

Kelvin Kaindu’s men will have to dig deep if they want a positive result in Tunisia as they are on poor run of six successive draws in the MTN Super League with only four goals scored during that time.

Zanaco last won a game on January 7th when they beat the Mabanga Boys, Kansanshi Dynamos 2-1 thanks to goals from Moses Phiri and Abraham Siankombo.

Midfielder Boyd Musonda will be facing his former team having had a short unsuccessful stint with Sfaxien in 2019 after joining them from Zanaco.

For the team this will be their first meeting with Sfaxien in over ten years. The two met 12 years ago in the group stage of the 2010 edition of the same competition.

Zanaco won the first leg 1-0 in Lusaka but lost the final leg 2-1 in Tunisia.

Despite the negative comments from the public skipper Moses Phiri believes his side are mentally and physically ready for the match.

“We have seen what people are writing and head what they’re saying that we will not go anywhere and this is motivating us to push.Football is played on the pitch and we are physically and mentally ready for this challenge.”

Phiri is expected to lead the attack with Emmanuel Mwiinde while 2012 AFCON winner Chisamba Lungu and Abraham Siankombo are expected to provide the creative spark.

Isaac Shamujompa and Christopher Muhango are expected to start in the heart of defense with Charles Lawu between the sticks.

Kick off in Tunis is set for 21:00hrs Central African Time.

Zanaco will then host Pyramids FC a week later on 20th February in Lusaka at National Heroes Stadium in a match Day 2 of group A.