ZESCO United Football Club Team Ya Ziko
ZESCO United will this Saturday face Nkana in the MTN Super League week 24 fixture scheduled for the Levy Mwanawasa stadium, Ndola.
The league defending champions currently sit on 3rd position with 38 points from 23 games whilst Nkana occupy 4th position with 36 points from 23 games.
ZESCO United will be hoping to displace Green Eagles from second position provided they beat Nkana on Saturday and hope that the Zambia National Service sponsored side get humbled in Kabwe when they face Kabwe Warriors.
Saturday’s fixture has often been a Cat-and-Mouse kind of affair for the two teams and their supporters. Who is likely to deliver for ZESCO United?
IAN OTIENO
ZESCO United goalkeeper, Ian Otieno can be the biggest difference between winning and losing a game. A top-class goalkeeper, the Kenyan international shot stopper has been a great signing for the 9-times MTN Super League champions.
Otieno often cuts a low profile. However, he belongs to a class of emerging talented goalkeepers on the continent.
On match day, Otieno is a replica of former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes. A commander of his penalty box, Otieno can be heard constantly barking instructions to his defenders, especially when the team is under siege.
The young goalkeeper boasts great reflexes. However, it is his ability to begin play from the back and his competence to command the defense which makes him standout.
On Saturday, Otieno will be expected to come to the party and protect ZESCO United’s goalmouth by unpacking some of his finest goalkeeping skills that will keep Nkana strikers from having a productive day.
JOHN CHINGANDU
ZESCO United midfielder, John Ching’andu is another typical example of a modern-day midfielder whose wizardly and intelligence in the middle of the park can determine the outcome of any football match.
A product of ZESCO United football club youth system, the midfield genius embodies the club’s philosophy of counter attacking football largely dictated in the middle of the park.
Ching’andu is not just a play maker, but has become part of an ideologue, directing the workings of a philosophy with each perfectly crafted pass.
On Saturday, the little genius will be expected to play a central role in destroying Nkana Football Club’s midfield with his immaculate defense splitting passes.
At his best, one can easily compare Ching’andu to former Spanish and Barcelona midfielder, Xavi Hernandez for his measured composure; his gliding and elegant demeanour.
The presence of Ching’andu in the ZESCO United starting XI makes Saturdays game worth every penny for both sets of fans and for the neutrals.
SIMON SILWIMBA
ZESCO United defender, Simon Silwimba, is a nightmare to many full-backs for his unrelenting lightning speed down the wings and unmatched strength.
The diminutive defender has been central to ZESCO United’s success for the last two decades. Stamina and endurance make Silwimba one of the best-full backs Zambia has produced in recent years.
On Saturday, Silwimba will be expected to overwhelm the Nkana backline with his unrelenting runs forward. He will also be expected to provide cover in defense that will be crucial in thwarting any threat that will be presented by the Wusakile.
At his best, Silwimba, is lethal in front of goal yet even more so with assists. On match day, he will be seen powering up and down the line.
EDWARD ‘MOSQUITOE’ LUNGU
19-year-old Edward Lungu recently made the biggest move of his fledgling career from Kitwe United to Zambian league giants ZESCO United.
Small in stature, skillful, devastatingly quick in the wings and a good eye for goals, Lungu comes with his own nickname coined by the uncompromising ‘Buchi Boys’ supporters. ‘Mosquito’ is the name that sums up Lungu’s features.
Coach Numba Mumamba will be expecting Lungu to torment the Nkana defenders with his devastating speed and create goal scoring opportunities for ZESCO United strikers.
DONASHANO ‘ICHAMILANDO’ MALAMA
Donashano Malama may not be the most talked about player in football circles. However, the former Nkana and now ZESCO United defensive midfielder is a true definition of a workaholic on the pitch.
Malama’s no-nonsense approach towards work makes him arguably the best custodian to entrust with protecting the attacking midfielder.
He can tackle, track back, counter attack when goings on the pitch allows. Malama also has a knack for goals.
The veteran defensive midfielder will be expected to protect and dictate proceedings in the middle of the park when ZESCO United face Nkana in the MTN Zambian Super League week 24 fixture scheduled for the Levy Mwanawasa stadium, Ndola.
COLLINS SIKOMBE
Collins Sikombe recently made a switch from Lusaka Dynamos to ZESCO United. He was arguably the club’s biggest signing of the just ended January transfer window.
Coach Numba Mumamba described the Zambia National Team attacking midfielder as a utility player who can be deployed in different positions and still make an impact.
Sikombe showed this on Saturday when ZESCO United lost 2-0 to Kansanshi Dynamos. The ZESCO United attacking midfielder played a major role in every threat that the league champions posed to the hosts.
The former Napsa Stars player will be crucial in Saturday’s game especially in delivering those crucial passes that will ultimately lead to the much-needed goals.
Saturday’s game will also be Sikombe’s first game at home in front of the ZESCO United supporters
KELVIN KAMPAMBA
Kelvin Kampamba can win you a game at any given time. This is a fact that both ZESCO United and Nkana know too well. This will be ZESCO United’s prayer when Kampamba comes face-to-face with his former employers.
Kampamba will be expected to take a leading role in dismantling Nkana with his lethal shooting boots and his exquisite movements on and off the ball.
The Zambia National Team player will also be the man to watch when it comes to delivering jaw breaking free-kicks.
Kelvin “Kemuka” Kampamba lives for the biggest stage. Saturday presents another biggest stage for him to show the rest of the world what he is really made of.
Author: Desmond Katongo
