Zesco United’s stay in the race for a semifinal place in the Caf African champions League is looking precarious ahead of their penultimate Group A game away to Kano Pillars today.
Defeat in Kano on Sunday to Pillars will see Zesco eliminated from the race to reach October’s semifinals.
Pillars who are 2nd on 7 points need a win over 3rd placed Zesco, on 5 points, to qualify to the semifinals with a game in hand.
Victory for Pillars will see them join Al Hilal of Sudan in the last four after the latter beat fellow Sudanese club El Merreikh 3-1 in Khartoum on Friday to end the losing sides interest in the competition.
El Merreikh have 2 points from 5 games going into their final Group A game against Pillars whom they host on September 19.
Meanwhile, Zesco take to the field missing key defender Roger Kamwandi due to suspension.
Moreover, they have to show more all-round quality after some modest performances in their Group A marches whose only highlight so after has been their 3-2 away win over El Merreikh on August 15 in Khartoum.
With Jonas Sakuwaha’s recent departure for French Ligue 1 club Lorient, Mathews Chikwete and Kondwani Mtonga must raise their game in midfield where Zesco have been very poor.
And Striker Enock Sakala who has four goals from the pre-group stage matches has yet to find the net so far in the lucrative stage of the Caf African Champions League.
Faz Premier Division
Week 22
Chambishi – Konkola Blades (NOT PLAYED)
City of Lusaka 2 (Nasha Kaya 5″, Vincent Mangamu 90″)-Lusaka Dynamos 1(Joseph Milanzi 1″)
Red Arrows 1(Kennedy Mpoya 18″ og)- Roan United 0
Kabwe Warriors 0-Young Arrows 0
Nakambala Leopards 1(Kelly Kumwenda 3″)-Green Buffaloes 0
Zanaco 0-Forest Rangers 1(Kameta Mutambo 40″)
Power Dynamos 0-Zamtel 0
PP
Zesco United- Choma Eagles
