Zesco United today left for Kampala ahead of Saturday Caf Africa Champions League preliminary round 1st leg match against Uganda Revenue Authority FC.
Wedson Nyirenda’s 18-member team left Lusaka just before 13:00 today with four new faces in the team ahead of Zesco’s debut appearance in the competition.
Striker Elson Mkandawire and Signs Chibambo from Power Dynamo’s and Nakambala Leopards respectively are two of the notable new faces in the squad.
The other two include winger Lottie Phiri from Young Arrows and defender Nyambe Mulenga formerly of demoted Forest Rangers.
Captain Rainford Kalaba said he was looking forward to putting his forgettable Africa Cup outing behind him when he makes his debut in Caf club competition.
Kalaba and defender William Chinyama will be one of two Zambia national team players from the Africa Cup squad in Zesco’s traveling party to Uganda.
Striker Enoch Sakala who together with Kalaba were joint top scorers last season on 24 goals is in the team after returning from an unsuccessful trial spell in North Africa.
Zesco return home on Monday and will host URA in a fortnight’s time either in Ndola should their Trade Fair Ground pass Caf certification.
Should that not happen, Zesco will host URA at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Jacob Banda, Charles Chileshe
Defenders: Rodgers Kamwandi, Nyambe Mulenga, William Chinyama, Chalwe Kabamba, Kunda Mushota
Midfielders: George Phiri, Matthews Chikwete, Rainford Kalaba, Clifford Chipalo, Douglas Msiska
Strikers: Signs Chibambo, Jonas Sakuwaha, Enoch Sakala, Elson Mkandawire, Nicholas Zulu, Lottie Phiri.
Ba Zesco go and win. Thats a week team. I know you will be knocked out once you start meeting west or north african teams. You are just fulfilling fixtures.
Clive Hachilensa has gone to Turkey to attend trials. Hopefully he clinches a deal. Turkey football is more advanced than Finnish football.
Chamanga has left joburg to attend trials in Norway.hope he gets the deal.
90 % of trials by Zed players not successful. WHY???
they are not serious.
Zed players they do not pass trials because they are not serious with football unless if tell them about girls & beers they will never go wrong.
thats all comes down from our govt.
wat do u mean govt? iam a government worker wats wrong with us. why do we get the blame everytime.
There is more to trials than meets the eye. That is why we need someone at FAZ or a head coach with international connections. Look at Benjani, he was recommended to Harry Redknapp by Arsene Wenger. Obviously that bought him sometime to settle in as has been evidenced by his goals this season. I’m sure if we had well connected officials, our players would be given the opportunity to settle as opposed to showcasing their skills in a limited time period.
luckson lusaka – why don’t YOU forget about girls and beer? Sounds easy, doesn’t it?
For every Benjani there is at least 30 others who don’t make it. More can be done to help our young talents before they get to trials in Europe, it’s down to the league, association and ministry of sport to insure firstly we develop the talent and make sure they can deal as successfully with life as much football. The kind of player that gets to make it in the premiership is very direct. Odemwinge, Manucho, guys that are strong, effective and relentless whether it be controlling play, attacking the goal, playing in others, or simply defending, chances are they will be able to do the same at any level. It’s all buisness, if you can do those things then you are doing the job, if not…
stretch dj- Believe me you i have forgotten about girls & beer because they were doing no good to me in any way.I refraining from these two (bad) vices have made me to benefit greatly on achieving my goals.Yes it sounds easy,and it is very much possible to refrain from these two by putting an extra effort to it. If our players were to put an extra effort to it they will become successful.( one man-one woman is the extra effort am talking about and drinking responsibly)