Zesco plot for knockout TP Mazembe at Levy

Zesco United coach George Lwandamina has told his charges to roll-up their sleeves on Saturday at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola against their giant neighbours TP Mazembe in their 2018/2019 CAF Champions League pre-group stage decider.

Zesco trail the five-time African kings 1-0 from the first leg played on December 16 in Lubumbashi.

A defeat, draw or 2-1 win for Zesco will see them eliminated and demoted to January’s pre-group phase of the CAF Confederation Cup while a 1-0 home win will see the match decided on penalties.

In short, Zesco must beat Mazembe 2-0 to hand the DR Congo giants a very rare early elimination at this stage of the competition.

“It wasn’t even easy in Congo, so even this side it won’t be easy,” Lwandamina said.

“We have to do our homework right; we are playing a team with high pedigree, with a lot of experience.

“But we hope we have also the pedigree, we have been through the continental games at the group stages so we have to protect that and work towards that.

“But it will not be an easy game for both teams.”