Zesco battle to maintain Zambia’s interest in African club competition on Sunday when they face AS Kaloum of Guinea in Bamako.
The two sides clash in a 2015 CAF Champions League first round, final leg match in Mali due to the Ebola outbreak in Guinea.
Zesco are Zambia’s only team with interest in Africa following Power Dynamos’ elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup when they exited 4-3 on aggregate despite beating CF Mounana of Gabon 3-0 at home in Kitwe on Saturday.
Power and Kaloum head into the final leg decider tied at 1-1 from the first leg match played on March 21 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
However, it took a stoppage time equaliser from midfielder Justin Zulu to save Zesco from suffering a home loss and coach George Lwandamina will be hoping for a better performance from his charges.
Lwandamina will be encouraged by his quartet of Zambia call-ups’ showing in the 2-0 friendly win over Rwanda on March 29 in Lusaka but will hope that striker Winston Kalengo can this time be more clinical with his finish.
“The only pressure on the shoulders of the players is coming from the country. The result from the home match can’t give them pressure,” Lwandamina said.
A draw will see Kaloum through but Zesco must win away to progress.
Winner will play USM Alger away in Algeria in the last 16 first leg on April 17.
USM progressed 6-2 on aggregate after a 1-1 away draw in Dakar on Friday against Senegal champions AS Pikine.
No excuses as the match will take place at a neutral venue.
@Don, you’re dead right. The chances are not looking that good though with this unpleasant tendency of our teams failing to capitalize on home ground advantage – look how the Camerounian team hammered Power at their home ground!
A goaless draw will see zesco out. Zesco can qualify on a 2 or more goals draw