WOUNDED ZESCO UNITED FACE ARROWS

On Saturday, ZESCO United players departed the MTN Woodlands stadium in anger following their 3-1 defeat on penalty shootouts in the Absa cup final at the hands of Lusaka Dynamos.

ZESCO United came into Saturday’s league cup as defending champions having won the Absa cup title a record six-times.

Saturday’s final was an opportunity to add a seventh league cup title and possibly a double for the season following ZESCO United’s outstanding performance in the league where the Zambian league giants currently sit at the summit of the league table with 46 points and confidently look set to lift a ninth league title.

Before weekends final, ZESCO United had recorded nine consecutive victories, seven in the league and two in the league cup.

The team was bubbling with confidence and exuding a level of invincibility that has kept them above the rest of the pack in the league.

However, despite dominating proceeding in Saturday’s fixture, ZESCO United could not find the back of the net in 90’ minutes. The defending champion’s fate was eventually decided on penalties where they went on to lose by 3-1.

On Wednesday, ZESCO United host Red Arrows in the FAZ/MTN Super League week 26 fixture at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium, Ndola.

ZESCO United players will be biting their nails for failing to leave Lusaka with the coveted league cup. However, Arrows are likely to be used as a panacea for Saturday’s disappointing outcome against Lusaka Dynamos.

Coach Numba Mumamba has had plenty to say to his players who, before Saturday’s defeat had accounted for themselves very well winning nine games successively.

However, Mumamba knows the negative effect a lose like Saturday’s disappointing result could have on his players.

For almost two months, ZESCO United have been the masters of dispatching their opponents with surgical beauty.

With Saturday’s defeat still fresh on the minds of the players, Mumamba will be expected to have done a lot mental strengthening on the team.

ZESCO United will host Arrows with an impressive seven consecutive victories which has seen the former league champions open up a seven-point gap between themselves and second placed Zanaco.

A win against the Airmen will further draw the Ndola based league giants closer to the biggest title in the land that they have thus far bagged eight times.

The hosts will be hoping to keep their momentum by being at their best when they face Arrows.

Chitiya Mususu dazzled the crowd with eye-catching skills, mesmerizing ball distribution and his imposing physical presence on the pitch; features that often draws comparison to Inter Millan and Belgian striker, Romelu Lukaku.

With Mususu’s Saturday’s impressive performance still fresh on Mumamba’s mind, the ZESCO United gaffer will be having sleepless nights when it comes to selecting a team of men who will lead his frontline.

On the other hand, Mususu will be patiently waiting to see whether what he did on Saturday was enough to buy him a slot in the team on Wednesday.

Winstone Kalengo, Enock Sakala, John Makwata, Jesse Were, David Molinga, will all be aiming to make the starting eleven tomorrow.

In the middle of the park, Tafadazwa Rusike, John Chinga’andu, Bruce Musakanya, Mukuka Chanda, Samuel Sikaonga and Donashano Malama will be expected to provide accurate passes upfront.

In defense, Adrian Chama, Clement Mwape, Simone Silwimba, Solomon Sakala, and Fackson Kapumbu will be expected to provide fine cover for Ian Otieno.

ZESCO United will tomorrow seek to redeem themselves from the Absa cup final defeat by beating Red Arrows in the Super League and enhance their chances of winning their ninth league title.

Author: Desmond Katongo