WE WON’T UNDERRATE LEOPARDS: WERE

Kenyan international striker Jesse Were says ZESCO United will not underrate Royal Leopards of Eswatin when the two sides meet in the preliminary round of the 2021/22 CAF champions League.

Zambia’s envoy in the CAF champions league, ZESCO United and Royal Leopards discovered their fate in the coveted African football competition following the CAF interclub draws conducted yesterday in Cairo, Egypt.

“We will treat them like any other strong African team especially that they have qualified for the biggest club football showpiece on the continent. They came here and managed to beat and eliminate Red Arrows the last time the latter played in CAF. This is evidence enough that they can’t be underrated,” Were warned.

Were disclosed that ZESCO United players were ready for the challenge ahead and assured fans of positive results.

“We have had a good pre-season in Chipata where everyone was fighting hard to win a place in the team. The lads have continued to work hard because they know the tasks ahead of us. We will work hard to ensure that we do much better the competition.”

Meanwhile Were said ZESCO United have a huge opportunity to rewrite their history by performing better in the competition.

“The focus is to do better than we have done in the past. However, the major task when you start a competition as tough as the champions league is to at least get your feet into the Group stage and begin to plot how to go further than that.

We have the capacity and belief to do very well in this competition. The secret is to work extra hard.”

Were who last season managed to bag a century goals for the 2020/21 Zambian Super League champions and cantered away with the club top scorer award believes champions league football presents a huge marketing and exposure opportunity for players.

“This is a massive exposure opportunity for many players at our club who are just beginning their careers in the game. Champions league football gives you the opportunity to work hard and show Africa that you can play at the highest of the game.

I believe the lads who haven’t played in this competition before will be motivated to work harder when we start the games.”

First CAF preliminary games will be played between the 10-12 September with Royal Leopards hosting the Zambian champions in Eswatin.

The country’s envoy in the CAF champions league, ZESCO United will in return host Royal Leopards at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium between the 17-19 September 2021.

Author: Desmond Katongo