There are less that 12 days remaining before ZESCO United open their account in the 2021/22 football season with the traditional Samuel ‘ZOOM’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield encounter which will see the Zambian Super League champions clash against the 2021 Absa cup winners, Lusaka Dynamos.
ZESCO United coach Numba Mumamba has already set his sights on the new season with some intense pre-season preparations which saw the league champions shift base from Ndola to Chipata.
“The idea of bringing them to Chipata was to ensure that they completely focus on preseason preparations because this environment shields them from unnecessary disturbances. Everyone’s concertation is on work. By the time we are leaving everyone will be fit and ready for the games,” he said.
Mumamba who carried a 35-member squad to Chipata expressed happiness with the players zeal in training.
“Our preparations have been going on very well from the time we regrouped some four weeks ago. Everyone has been pushing so that they get the best fitness levels in readiness for the start of the new campaign.
We are extremely delighted that everyone is back. It was only guys from Kenya who delayed but we are happy everyone is here. They have come and pushing to be at the same level with a everyone else.”
Meanwhile Mumamba expects on loan Napsa Stars defensive midfielder Dickson Chapa and former Kitwe United winger, Edward Lungu to add great value to the ZESCO United squad ahead of the new season.
“These are important players who have the talent. We thought they could add value to the team and bring in competition especially that we are playing in CAF. We need players who cane play at the highest level.”
And Mumamba has disclosed that the club’s primary target is to reach the CAF Champions’ League Group stage.
“Firstly, we have to set our sights on getting to the Group stage of the CAF Champions League. That’s our primary objective thereafter it will be easy for us now to set our eyes on getting further into the competition,” he said.
The ZESCO United gaffer is also eager to see the club beef up the squad in various departments.
“We will need to fill up in defense and the striking force. We are very comfortable in the midfield because we have a lot of numbers in that area. However, we need a central defender and probably two strikers.”
Yesterday ZESCO United returned to Ndola after spending 10-days in Chipata as part of pre-season preparations.
Author: Desmond Katongo