THE STAGE IS SET FOR CHARITY SHIELD SHOWDOWN

The waiting is over! ZESCO United players have less than 24 hours to oil their transformers as the 2020/21 league champions aim to electrocute Lusaka Dynamos in the Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield final scheduled for the MTN woodlands stadium, Lusaka on Saturday.

Charity Shield traditionally the precursor of the Zambian Super League season is expected to set the stage and tone for what promises to be an exciting 2021/22 football campaign.

Zambian league champions, ZESCO United will be aiming to use tomorrows encounter to settle scores against an old foe, following Lusaka Dynamos Absa cup triumph which saw the former fail to win their 7^th Absa cup title.

ZESCO United players have not forgotten the Absa cup final defeat at the hands of Lusaka Dynamos.

Coach Numba Mumamba intends to use Saturday’s final to test his players readiness for the 2021/22 football season.

With ZESCO United missing Kelvin Kampamba, Simon Silwimba, Solomon Sakala and Dickson Chapa, Mumamba will have a chance to look at his new recruits including those from developmental teams and assess if they are assimilating to his philosophy and ready for the bigger stage.

ZESCO United players have described Saturday’s final as an opportunity for them to set the tone for the new league season and CAF champions league campaign.

Tomorrows encounter will also present ZESCO United players an opportunity to cement their places in Mumamba’s book of football secrets.

Chitiya Mususu, Enock Sakala and Jesse Were will be hoping to lead the attack for the league champions following the departure of John Makwata and David Molinga.

The absence of Solomon Sakala and Simon Silwimba presented an ideal opportunity for South Sudanese defender, John Maker Manyang to make his debut for the Ndola based league giants.

Manyang’s dream debut has unfortunately been frustrated by uncompleted work permit matters.

Clement Mwape, Adrian Chama, Willard Nkausu, John Chishimba and Fackson Kapumbu will be on high alert in order to thwart any threats from Lusaka Dynamos.

The battle of wits will be in the middle of the park with enterprising attacking midfielder Chanda Mukuka aiming to continue his impressive exploits in the league.

Young Mukuka will be backed by Thabani Kamusoko, Logic Chingandu while exciting winger Edward Lungu will be hoping to fill up the void left by attacking midfielder, Kelvin Kampamba.

Meanwhile ZESCO United shot stopper, Ian Otieno will be expected to command his place between the sticks deputized by Samson Banda.

Lusaka Dynamos on the other hand will be hoping to shutter the league champions hopes of starting the league campaign on a high by winning tomorrows league curtain raiser final.

Victory against Lusaka Dynamos will be motivation enough for the league champions as they also begin their race in the CAF champions league with an away fixture to Eswatin’s Royal Leopards football club.

ZESCO United Full Squad:

Goalkeepers:  Ian Otieno, Samson Banda,

Defenders: Samson Mkandawire, Fackson Kapumbu, Adrian Chama, Clement Mwape, Willard Nkausu, John Chishimba

Midfielders: Thabani Kamusoko, Tafadzwa Rusike, Chanda Mukuka, Logic Ching’andu, Albert Muoobola, Paul Banda, Edward Lungu

Strikers: Enock Sakala, Jesse Were Chitiya Mususu

Author: Desmond Katongo