ZESCO United Football Club Team Ya Ziko
Zambia’s only coveted cup championship, Absa Cup is back. Reigning champions, ZESCO United open their account and title defense, against FAZ/Eden University National Division One side Kansanshi Dynamos on Saturday.
ZESCO United have won the Absa cup title a record 6 times, making them the most successful side in the history of the competition.
The Ndola based league giants begin their quest to win a seventh absa cup title under the wings of former Zanaco Football Club coach, Numba Mumamba.
ZESCO United have been impressive in the league, having won all their last five games, a feat that has seen them ascend to the summit of the Zambian league table.
The feel good factor is back at the club. ZESCO United are the team to beat at the moment. Mumamba will be hoping that his side shift their recent winning trajectory in the league to the league cup.
“It is a privilege to be in this competition for us especially that we are defending champions. It is important for us to show the same kind of commitment and performance that we have shown in the league and channel it to Absa cup,” Mumamba said
Competition debutants, Enock Sakala, Samuel Sikaonga, Luwawa Kasoma, Samson Mkandawire, Mukuka Chanda will all be salivating for their first taste of the country’s elite competition.
The four lads have been impressive and have thus far accounted for themselves very well in the league, a feat that has earned them respect from senior players, fans and the technical bench.
Mumamba’s side has revolved from failing to string victories consistently, maintaining a grip on the summit of the league to being the leagues most feared side in recent weeks.
However, Mumamba will not be swayed by what he has thus far seen in the league. The former Zanaco striker understands the dynamics that come with playing teams from the lower division.
Kansanshi Dynamos will not be pushovers. They will be motivated to cause an upset against one of the most successful clubs in this competition.
“Kansanshi Dynamos are a very good team. I think they have done extremely well in the national division one. I don’t expect my players to underrate them. We are taking this game very seriously because it is a crucial match,” Mumamba added.
Mumamba’s clarion call to his players when they face Kansanshi Dynamos will be to treat the latter with respect they deserve. However, he will probably not shy away from telling his players the significance of dictating the narrative on the pitch and return to Ndola with a victory.
ZESCO United will tomorrow face Kansanshi Dynamos in the 2020/2021 Absa Cup competition scheduled for the MTN Woodlands stadium, Lusaka.
Author: Desmond Katongo
