Zesco United battle to return to the top two in Group A of the 2016 CAF Champions League when they host ASEC Mimosa of Cote d’Ivoire at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Saturday.
George Lwandamina’s side is looking for a win to see them bounce back from their 2-0 away loss in Morocco against Wydad Casablanca on June 29 in Rabat that saw them drop from top of Group A to third and let their hosts’ replace them at the summit of match-day-two.
Wydad have maximum six points after beating ASEC 1-0 away on June 18 on the same date Zesco beat Al Ahly 3-2 in Ndola.
Victory will lift Zesco to second ahead of Wydad’s away game against bottom place Al Ahly who are bottom and win-less.
ASEC are second and tied on three points from two games with Zesco with all to play for.
A victory is essential for Zesco knowing very well that the return leg is just four days away on July 20 in Abidjan.
Zesco must win to rise to six points as insurance for that away match next Wednesday.
After the two legs, an away date against Al Ahly awaits Zesco in their penultimate Group A match on August 12 looms in Egypt as the battle for the magic nine points to put them a strong position for the top two semifinal qualification gathers pace.
Lwandamina has a strong side at his disposal with striker Idris Mbombo back after a long-term injury layoff and who has four Champions League goals, tied with midfielder Cletus Chama.
However, defender David Owino is battling to shrug off illness to make the team after missing Tuesday’s 1-1 home draw with Mufulira Wanderers.
