NUMBA UPBEAT AHEAD OF ROYAL AM CLASH

ZESCO United Head Coach Mumamba Numba believes his side has the right quality to beat Royal AM when the two sides meet in the CAF Confederations Cup first leg of the second preliminary round of qualifiers on Sunday at Durban’s Moses Mabhida stadium, South Africa.

Numba expects his players to go into Sundays match against Royal AM with great confidence and right mindset.

“The team we have carried is in good shape and the morale in camp is very high. They are all looking forward to Sunday’s game against Royal AM. Everyone is pushing and working hard to get the right results.

“We need to go into this game with the right confidence and mindset. Remember that this is a two-legged fixture. It will be great for us to get a win that side because that will put us in a good position to get through to the Group stage of the competition,” he said.

Meanwhile Numba says Royal AM is not a pushover side to be underrated by any team participating in CAF.

“Royal AM is not a new club side. They just changed names form Bloemfontein Celtics to Royal AM due to a change in ownership. This is not a team to underrate because they have the experience. We will take them on like any other strong team.”

Royal AM have had a positive start to this year’s CAF Confederations Cup after edging Mbabane Highlanders in the first preliminary round of the qualifiers.

“I don’t think they have an edge over us despite them playing the first games of the competition. I think we have also played six league games which have put us in a better place to get three points. I think the team is ready and we just need to go there with our heads up,” Numba said.

And Numba has challenged his strikers to be more clinical on target when the two teams clash on Sunday

“It is redemption time for some of our players especially for the strikers after missing numerous chances in the league. They need to show that they can play and score goals for the team.

ZESCO United travelling contingent will be without exciting winger Songa Chipyoka who is currently off to the Eswatini U-20 COSAFA tournament.

Numba has however declared the winger’s availability for Sunday’s CAF Confederations Cup match.

“Songa will join us after he plays the first game at COSAFA in Eswatin. He is equally in good shape and ready for the game. I wish to also mention that we have left out lVincent Oburu because he is not fully fit. Chaitya Mususu, Spencer Sautu, and Simon Silwimba are also out due to an injuries.”

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers

Ian Otieno

Gregory Sanjase

Defenders

Jackson Ngulube

Samson Mkandawire

Shemy mayembe

Clement mwape

Solomon Sakala

Peter Maker Manyang

Midfielders

Donashano malama

Kelvin kapumbu

Chanda mukuka

John ching’andu

Austin muwowo

kelvin kampamba

Collins sikombe

Edward lungu

Songa chipyoka

Kezroni Kizito

Strikers

Enock Sakala

Alfred Leku

Author: Desmond Katongo