ZESCO United Football Club Team Ya Ziko
ZESCO United have been at the peak of their game. The club has in the last 12 league games claimed 10 victories and recorded only two defeats. This has been a remarkable turnaround for a club that had a slow start to this seasons campaign.
The league leaders currently sit at the summit of the league table with 55 points having played 27 games while second placed Zanaco have 50 points having played 28 matches.
Last week, ZESCO United’s winning run ended abruptly following their league defeat at the hands of relegation threatened Nkana Football Club who miraculously managed to leave Ndola City with three points.
To further compound matter, the Ndola based league giants yet again dropped a further three points at the hands of Power Dynamos in a game played at the Arthur Davies stadium, Kitwe.
The last two defeats have seen the gap between ZESCO United and Zanaco reduce further with the latter looking at a potential league upset before the end of the season.
ZESCO United players have accounted for themselves very well in a league that has been competitive from the very beginning.
Coach Numba Mumamba’s side have held their own even in times when they have lost some of their most dependable players to injuries.
Kelvin Kampamba has been a marvel to watch since joining the club. His ability to take matters into his own hands when the going gets tough has delivered crucial points for the club. His absence during the Power Dynamos defeat was greatly felt.
Like Kampamba, veteran striker Winstone Kalengo was left out of both Nkana and Power Dynamos games due to injury.
Others who have sat out of these crucial matches are Donashano Malama, Tafadzwa Rusike and Jesse Were.
This coming Sunday, ZESCO United will be looking at making amends when they travel to Lusaka where they are scheduled to face this years Absa Cup champions, Lusaka Dynamos.
ZESCO United players know the significance of this fixture especially in their quest to keep a distance between themselves and title contenders, Zanaco.
With Zanaco facing Kitwe United at Sunset stadium a day earlier, ZESCO United will have their eyes firmly focused on Sunday’s clash.
Mumamba has had over a week to deliver his key note address to every player who is part of the ZESCO United fabric.
Mumamba and his players have been fantastic. But the ZESCO United gaffer knows too well the dangers of recording further slipups in a title campaign that before last week looked done and dusted for the eight times league champions.
ZESCO United have given their whole in the last several games. However, they are aware that if the title is to return to the beautiful city of Ndola, getting to the finish line will require more blood, sweat and pain.
Author: Desmond Katongo
