ZESCO United Football Club Team Ya Ziko
ZESCO United’s quest to defend the 2021/22 MTN Zambian Super League title has slowly started to take shape.
Following their disappointing elimination from the coveted CAF Champions League in the first phase of the qualifying series, the Zambian league champions have channeled all their energies towards keeping the coveted title in Ndola for the tenth time.
The month of September started on a high for the champions, with ZESCO United beating Chambishi 2-0 in their opening league fixture.
Victory against Chambishi was followed by another convincing 2-0 win against Indeni in the famous Ndola derby.
The champions, however could not make it three consecutive victories when they faced MTN Super League promoted side Kafue Celtics.
ZESCO United went down 2-0 ending the month of September on a very disappointing note.
The league champions returned to action after the FIFA international break with a mouthwatering fixture to Kabwe Warriors.
Goals from Solomon Sakala and Jesse Were were enough for the champions to open the month of October on a high.
However, the month of October would become slightly bumpy for the champions losing 1-0 to Nkana before trouncing Kansanshi Dynamos 4-0.
Victory against Kansanshi Dynamos was followed by a 1-all draw against league leaders Green Buffaloes and MTN promoted side Konkola Blades.
October curtains were finally drawn to a close with ZESCO United occupying the third position on the league table with 14 points while Nkwazi and Green Buffaloes cemented the second and first position with 18 and 21 points respectively having played a game better than the champions.
ZESCO United Head Coach Numba Mumamba is already working tirelessly to resuscitate the fortunes of the reigning league champions ahead of what promises to be an explosive November.
Green Eagles, Prison Leopards, Forest Rangers and Buildcon are some of the mouthwatering fixtures that await the Ndola based league giants.
“Our team has struggled a bit since we resumed the league. What we have seen so far is exactly what we saw last season. We were slow starters because most of our senior players are slow to hit their peak. They have slightly struggled.
“We have been talking to everyone about the urgent need to start grinding out results especially that we are almost getting to the half mark of the league. So far, we are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel looking at the way the team is now playing,” Mumamba said.
Mumamba bemoaned the lack of consistency from his side:” We are emphasizing on consistency which is crucial to us. Our focus has been in areas where we are not doing well especially the striking force. The team is creating chances but failing to score. This was the story against Buffaloes.
“I was impressed that we created fewer scoring chances against Kansanshi Dynamos but ended up scoring all the few opportunities we had on target. Our conversion rate needs to improve a lot.”
Mumamba’s biggest agony has been the number of injuries that plagued his side last month.
“Injuries have been our biggest challenge. We are hoping Kalengo is back quickly in the team. Adrian started training this week, but he is till feeling a bit of pain in his leg while Ian Otieno had a full week of training last week. We expect him to make the cut this coming Saturday,” Mumamba disclosed.
The ZESCO United gaffer has already set his sights on bringing in new strikers ahead of the January transfer window.
“This is one crucial department that we need to beef up. There are strikers we were focusing on bringing during the previous transfer, but we failed. Our primary object is to ensure that we bring 1 or 2 guys who will give us more options upfront. Now we need to work with the guys that are available,” Mumamba concluded.
Author: Desmond Katongo
