MUMAMBA TO USE CHARITY SHIELD TO TRY NEW PLAYERS

Zambian Super League champions, ZESCO United head coach, Numba Mumamba intends to use new club recruits in the upcoming Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield final against Lusaka Dynamos.

“We are not worried about the four players who are currently with the National Team. This gives us a good opportunity to assess the new guys and see how they will perform in the Charity Shield. They need to adapt and get used to our style of play as soon as possible,” Mumamba said

The 2021 Absa cup finalist will face the competitions winners when the two teams renew their rivalry in the leagues curtain raiser scheduled for the MTN Woodlands stadium in Lusaka on Saturday.

Mumamba has had almost a full month of putting his side through grilling training regimes which saw the team set up base in Chipata, Eastern Province for 10-days.

“Our preparations have been going on well and the team is ready for the competition. It is unfortunate that they had to push the game further after a week. As such we thought of organizing a friendly game against Jumulo in order to assess everyones fitness levels,” he said.

The ZESCO United gaffer has expressed happiness with the players response in training especially the new additions.

“So far everyone is looking good. They are responding to training and we are very happy with their feedback , especially the new guys that have come. They have shown the determination and have also brought competition to the team.”

Mumamba has further tipped South Sudanese National Team captain and ZESCO United defender Peter Maker Manyang to make a mark at the club.

“He is slowly adapting to the environment and he has thus far shown good qualities in training. We are just working on a few details so that he gets used to our philosophy and style of play. But otherwise he looks good and hopefully adds value to the team.”

Meanwhile Mumamba believes that Saturday’s final provides a great opportunity for ZESCO United to make amends following the teams defeat in the 2021 Absa cup final at the hands of Lusaka Dynamos.

“This is another game in which we need to make amends. We lost to Lusaka Dynamos in the final. This is an opportunity to make amends by winning the Charity Shield final on Saturday.”

Author: Desmond Katongo