Fondly referred to as “Zega Mambo” by its fans, the Ndola based Zambian Champions have continued to impress the Zega sympathizers in continental football.
In this season’s campaign, having won the Super League last season, Zesco United started in the CAF Champions League were the dispatched Sonidep of Niger with a convincing score-line aggregate of 5 goals to one. The next challenge was Congolese giants, TP Mazembe.
The battle started in Lubumbashi were Mazembe managed to get a one nil score-line over the Zambian Champions. Days later, the battle field was moved to Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Zesco took the lead via their hit man Lazarous Kambole and the scores were square at one-all. However, a lapse in defense saw TP Mazembe got back in the game that was destined to end one-all on the day and 2-1 on aggregate to see the Congolese club march onto the CAF Champions League group stages.
The draw in Ndola meant Zesco United was to drop to the CAF Confederations Cup pre-group stages, where they were paired against South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs.
With the first leg now done and dust, the fans turned out in numbers at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium. The match started with Kaizer Chiefs dominating the early exchanges. Lazarus Kambole’s sharpness for goal was seen when he converted from inside the penalty area to give the advantage to Zesco United. Minutes later, Kenyan international striker Jesse Were converted from the spot kick to give Zesco United a 2-nil advantage before the break.
Kaizer Chiefs responded through Khama Billiat as the teams went on the break 2-1. The third goal was scored by Were, after benefiting from a Kambole lay off to ensure the host win the game 3-1 on the day.
WHAT NEXT FOR ZEGA MAMBO?
Having reached the CAF Champions semi-finals in 2016, only to fall at that stage against Mamelodi Sundowns, eventual winners of the competition in that year. 2017 was also another close call for the Zambian outfit only to fail in the quarter finals against another South African side in Supersport United.
Most soccer followers will be expecting Zesco United to get past the challenge of “Amakhosi” when the two teams meet in Johannesburg this Saturday based on the fact that team has been together for a long time and that would work to the advantage of the Ndola based team.
With 3-1 score-line in the bag, Zesco would do well to play a cautious game. The attacking prowess of Chiefs will yet again come to life when they play host to Zesco and most football pundits have predicted a tough encounter.
Anything less than 2-0 loss for the Zesco United team means a place in the CAF Confederation group stages.
TECHNICAL BATTLE AGAINST A WOUNDED CHIEFS TEAM
Speaking after the game, their German coach remained positive, insisting that the tie is not over. According to the club’s official website, he said, “We created numerous chances today… If we get these opportunities again next week, we will have to take them. If we do that, we are still in with a chance. Our defensive work was a bit weak.”
The experienced former Yanga Coach George Lwandamina will be looking to protected the lead, he has been now for tilting the squad in both defending and also going forward, attacking with confidence.
Importantly, the squad must be psyched as to why to tactical do this and that etc. This will be vital in limiting the flowless Chiefs attacking play. The return of Marcel Kalonda in defense will be an added advantage for Zega Mambo, who will also be hoping that the creativity of Enock Sabumukama will be available for selection as that would see the wonderful link up play between him and John Chingandu.
One thing certain is that Kambole, Were and Rahim Ousmanu will be leading the attacking as we have seen in the recent games that Zesco United has played in continent games.
An attacking Chiefs would be an opportunity for Zesco to explore with caution and get that goal that would just take the game beyond Amakhosi.
Middendorp and his side will welcome ZESCO to FNB Stadium at 20h00 on Saturday evening as Chiefs look to reverse the scoreline on home soil.
Zesco United have this game in their control.
ALL THE BEST ZESCO UNITED
The ball is your court ba Zesco. You mess up, you are out.