Zesco gunning for lightening to strike twice in Bamabo

Zesco United are hoping to clear the first hurdle this weekend in their quest to end a seven year absence from the CAF Champions League group stage.

The Ndola side and defending FAZ Super Division champions face Stade Malien of Mali on Saturday (kickoff: 20h00) in a last 16, first leg match in Bamako.

Zesco will later host Stade Malien on April 20 in the final leg that will decide who goes through to the group stage that kicks-off in June.

The side has fond memories of Bamako where their journey to a debut group stage appearance was engineered in 2009 under the late Fighton Simukonda.

Zesco drew 0-0 and won 2-1 at home against Djoliba to become the first Zambian club to play in the group stage of a continental competition.

“This is the third team we are playing in the Champions League this year but it is no excuse as we will go an extra mile,” Zesco goalkeeper and captain Jacob Banda said.

Zesco have some personnel absentees for the match with key players midfielder Cletus Chama and defender David Owino suspended.

Chama was sent off on March 20 in Zesco’s 2-0 away loss to Horoya in Guinea while Owino accrued his second caution in the competition.

And so Mathews Nkowani is likely to replace Chama while Kondwani Mtonga could stand in for Owino.