TEAMYAZIKO IN MAKE OR BREAK PUZZLE

It is a Wednesday morning and the time is 09:00. ZESCO United players slowly make their way into the Trade Fair training ground, three days after recording a 1-all draw against Kansanshi Dynamos in a week 25 rescheduled fixture.

It is a disappointing result for the Zambian Super League Champions who were gunning for a crucial three points. On the other hand, the result is a fair one considering the fact that the Zambian Super League was temporally suspended for over four months, following the outbreak of COVID-19.

The mood among the players is calm. The technical bench freely mingles among the players, occasionally joking with them. The Kenyan trio of Were, Odhiambo, Makwata slowly make their way to the training field.

John Ching’andu is seen joking with Simon Silwimba as Jacob Banda paces around the field in an effort to ready himself for what is to come next.

At exactly 09:15, a small Hyundai vehicle branded in Zesco Limited corporate colours makes its way through the gates of Trade Fair training ground. A large figure behind the steering wheel slowly scans the environment as if to signal to any foreign objects that their presence is no longer needed.

As the Hyundai makes its way to the car park just opposite the coaches changing room, the technical staff quickly charges towards the coaches changing room. This sudden change in the mood at the training ground is a signal that the gaffer is in the building.

At exactly 09:45, George Lwandamina, ZESCO United coach makes his way to the training field calmly greeting every member of his squad like a father who has not seen his children for a while.

As Lwandamina issues instructions to his players and technical staff, he is well aware of the daunting task ahead. A crucial away tie on Saturday 1^st August against Wedson Nyirenda’s Lusaka Dynamos.

Apart from plotting how to possibly dismantle Lusaka Dynamos, more nerve-wracking for the gaffer is the future of the 2019/2020 league season which resumed under very difficult circumstances.

Two weeks ago, the FAZ/MTN Super League season restarted under a hazy cloud, four months’ after a temporal suspension following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. The resumption of the League was marred with reports of coronavirus cases amongst players with Forest Rangers leading the list of infections on match day one.

Weeks and days following the renewal of the league has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases among participating teams.

Today the Zambian football community was greeted by news that the Zambian Super League will come to a premature close on August 6.

The Football Association of Zambia(FAZ) announced in a statement: “Following an Executive Committee meeting held on Thursday afternoon, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has decided to bring the 2019/2020 season to an early closure.

The decision to close the league has been necessitated by the concerns that the Association has received from various stakeholders especially Government through the Ministry of Health particularly from Zambia National Public Health Institute. The recent surge in numbers of the covid-19 occurrences has put a strain on the health system across the board.”

This somewhat expected move by the country’s football governing body has added more fire and fury to the race for the title and top four. The Zambian league has over the years been one of the most competitive leagues in Africa.

Flavoured with the unfortunate outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the title race has never been this competitive with at least five teams all with a big opportunity to win the coveted championship title with only two games to go.

Zambia’s Super League defending Champions, ZESCO United currently sit outside the top four with two games to go.

As the Champions prepare for tomorrow’s showdown against Dynamos, Lwandamina will be expecting his side to die-little for TeamYaziko.

The gaffer will be relying on the striking partnership of Were, Makwata and Kalengo to provide the goals that will lift the team from 5^th position. The trio will need to be clinical in front of goal.

The midfield comprising of John Ching’andu and Rusike Tafadzwa will be expected to provide those crispy defense splitting passes that will be crucial in ZESCO United’s quest to pocket the much needed three-points.

Clement Mwape, Adrian Chama and Mwila Phiri, will be expected to seal the backline with their hearts to thwart any potential threat that will be posed by Nyirenda’s team.

ZESCO United have been the team to beat for the last two decades. The eight-times Super League Champions have for the last three seasons made winning the league a ritual.

The last time ZESCO United finished behind the top two teams was in 2012. However, nothing prepared the champions for what has unfolded in the last five months.

The outcome of tomorrow’s game will definitely have a huge bearing on whether the team has a chance to reclaim its title or secure a place in the CAF Champions League or Confederation Cup.

Author: Desmond Katongo