UNITED FACE NKANA: WHO ARE THE GAME CHANGERS?

Zambian Super League giants ZESCO United will this coming Saturday face Nkana in the MTN Super League week sixteen fixture scheduled for Nkana stadium, Kitwe.

With thirteen league titles inscribed in the soils of Black Mountain, Nkana have been a shell of their legendary status owing to a shaky start to this year’s league campaign.

In the last four league matches, the Kitwe giants have claimed two wins, one draw and one loss; the latter coming against their cross-town rivals Power Dynamos.

ZESCO United on the other hand are yet to hit the right vocal cords which saw them sing their way to a ninth league title two-years ago.

Unlike Nkana, ZESCO United will come into Saturdays match hoping to erase the three consecutive league losses recorded against Zanaco, Green Buffaloes, Chambishi by building on last Saturday’s 3-1 win over Nchanga Rangers.

A meeting between the two sides is not short of great moments both on and off the pitch. We take a close look at the possible match winners for ZESCO United.

Ian Otieno

He is arguably the best foreign goalkeeper to have graced the Zambian game in the last ten years. Ian Otieno can be cunningly good at stopping sure goals for opposing teams due to his great reflexes and good judgement between the sticks.

Adrian Chama

ZESCO United’s defense has stood the test of time due to the experience and tactical discipline of players like Adrian Chama.

A soldier and faithful servant of the army sponsored Green Buffaloes, Chama’s presence in any game brings a combatant’s tactical awareness, discipline, patience, ingredients that can weather any storm.

Kelvin Kapumbu

The former Zanaco FC defensive midfielder is like a man made of steel. Since joining ZESCO United, Kapumbu has been an effective shield between the defense and goalkeeper, mopping up every mistake committed in the two areas of the pitch.

Given the right freedom, Kapumbu can be as menacingly good at mounting counter attacks as he is at thwarting them.

Kizito Kezironi

Kizito Kezironi is arguably the club’s most successful signings in recent years. He has been a breath of fresh air in ZESCO United’s midfield.

The Ugandan and ZESCO United attacking midfielder can dribble, distribute passes and has very quick movements that can illuminate any team especially when on the attack.

Kezironi’s breathtaking relationship with the ball makes him a very difficult candidate to mark for any given defense.

Vincent Oburu

Speed, mobility and an innate ability to score goals sums up Vincent Oburu’s strength in the game. In 2022, ZESCO United tightened their grip on the Kenyan international striker entering into a three-year contract after initially signing a four months short-term deal.

Oburu hit the ground running, scoring his first goal for the nine-times league champions against their fiercest rivals, Nkana football club.

Despite grappling with injuries since the start of the new season, Oburu has managed to score three goals for the nine-time league champions.

Author: Desmond Katongo