MATCH PREVIEW: UNITED AIM TO START LEAGUE ON A HIGH

Zambian Super League giants, ZESCO United will tomorrow face Prison Leopards in the 2022/23 Zambian Super League season week one fixture scheduled for the President stadium in Kabwe.

ZESCO United will be hoping to put up a steller performance which will see them leave Kabwe with three maximum points.

The 2020/21 league champions have made remarkable reinforcements to their squad which boosts of eight newly recruited players.

There is an aura of expectations among the ZESCO United faithful that the Ndola based league giants may have a strong shot at the title which they surrendered to Red Arrows last season.

With a sea of talent at his disposal, Mumamba Numba will arguably go through some selection dilemmas ahead of tomorrows crunching tie against Leopards.

Numba will arguably start with Ian Otieno in goal ahead of Gregory Sanjase and Leevison Banda with Cyril Chibwe still recovering from a back injury.

At the back, Adrian Chama, Clement Mwape, Simon Silwimba, Solomon Sakala, John Chishimba, Rodrick Kembo, Fackson Kapumbu, Samson Mkandawire and Jack Ngulube will all be up for selection.

Kelvin Kapumbu, Donashano Malama and Sam Sikaonga will be competing for a defensive role just behind the attacking midfielders.

Numba will yet again be spoiled for choice in the middle of the park with Keziron Kizito, Kelvin Kampamba, John Chingandu, Collins Sikombe eyeing to play a major role in ZESCO United’s opening match.

Former Lusaka Dynamos winger Chipyoka Songa will also be salivating to introduce himself to the ZESCO United fans after dispatching two perfectly taken goals from free kicks in the club’s preseason friendly matches against Zanaco and Napsa Stars.

ZESCO United will be hoping to see Alfred Leku get on the scoresheet after hitting the ground running following his move from Arua Hill Sports Club to the Zambian league giants.

Leku will arguably lead the ZESCO United frontline deputized by young Enock Sakala.

Numba’s comments ahead of tomorrow’s encounter: “The team is ready for the competition and every player is looking focused for the league. To date we have seen a lot of progress from everyone.

“We had an exciting preseason with the new guys bringing some competition to the team. I think we are very happy with what we have seen so far and hope this is replicated when we meet Leopards tomorrow.”

The ZESCO United gaffer is happy with the level of cohesion in the team ahead of tomorrow’s league opener.

“There is unity in the team, and I think we need to use that when we face Leopards so that we can start on a high. It will be important for us to win our first game especially that our objective is to retain the title. We really need to start with a victory because we have the players that can get us the results.”

Numba has declared Cyril Chibwe, Vincent Oburu and Spencer Sautu unavailable for Saturdays clash: “The only players that are out is Chibwe, Sautu and Oburu due to injuries. The rest are ready for selection.”

Author: Desmond Katongo