ZESCO United Football Club Team Ya Ziko
Nine times Zambian Super League champions ZESCO United will tomorrow face Power Dynamos in the MTN Super League week 23 fixture scheduled for the Arthur Davies stadium, Kitwe.
Both United and Dynamos will be pumped up for tomorrow’s game having won their week 22 fixtures. United beat Green Eagles 3-0 while Dynamos secured an important 0-1 away victory over Napsa Stars.
The two teams are meeting under extraordinarily circumstances with United who have for the last decade been ahead of their Copperbelt rivals chasing the top eight teams with 30 points while Dynamos sit at the summit of the table with 42 points. Further, the match will be played behind closed doors due to a five-match punishment imposed on Dynamos by the Football Association of Zambia.
United are aware of the significance of maintaining the current winning run if they are to break into the top four while Dynamos will be attempting to keep their title ambitions alive.TeamYaziko Head Coach, George Lwandamina will not be shy to unleash some of his best star players ahead of Saturdays clash.
South African born and Zambian international goalkeeper Cyril Chibwe is likely to get the nod from the veteran gaffer after he kept a clean sheet against Eagles. Chibwe on the other hand faces stiff competition from Gregory Sanjase while first choice goalkeeper Ian Otieno is yet to get the nod to start playing after suffering an injury.
Lwandamina will further look to Nigerian central defender Denis Nya to provide leadership at the back. Nya has been a rock in United’s defense since signing a two-year contract from Akwa United.
Another player who shined on his debut is Eswatin defender Lindo Mkhonta providing an assist which led to United’s opening goal against Eagles. Mkhonta, Solomon Sakala, Nya and John Chishimba kept the visitor’s strikers at bay.
Seasoned club defenders, Clement Mwape, Adrian Chama and Simon Silwimba may also have a say in tomorrow’s crucial tie going by the amount of experience they have among them when it comes to this fixture.
Meanwhile enterprising and energetic defensive midfielder Kelvin Kampumbu will be required to provide cover just behind the United’s attacking midfielders. Kampumbu will be competing with Donashano Malama for the sacred position just behind the attacking midfielders.
Lwandamina will be spoiled for choice in the middle of the park with Chanda Mukuka, John Chingandu, Kezironi Kizito, Kelvin Kampamba, Collins Sikombe readily available for a place in the first eleven.
To unlock Dynamos, Lazarus Kambole will need to unleash his goal poaching instincts which have proved crucial to United in the last two games. All eyes will be on the former Kaizer Chiefs striker who has so far delivered three goals in two games.
With Vincent Oburu out with an injury, former OC Bukavu Dawa striker, Moise Lola if selected will have an opportunity to show his quality. Enock Sakala will also be salivating for a place upfront.
Author: Desmond Katongo
