ZESCO United Football Club Team Ya Ziko
ZESCO United Head Coach Numba Mumamba expects an explosive encounter when his charges renew vows with Green Eagles for the third time this season.
Green Eagles beat ZESCO United 0-2 when the two teams met in the MTN Super League first encounter played at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium, Ndola.
The Zambia National Service sponsored side would later inflict more pain on the league defending champions by eliminating them from this year’s Absa Cup quarters finals through penalties in a match played at the Arthur Davies stadium.
On Thursday, Green Eagles face ZESCO United in what is expected to be a mouthwatering fixture for 2nd and 3rd placed teams on the league table.
With only seven games to go before the end of the 2021/22 league season, ZESCO United will be hoping to keep the pressure on league leaders Red Arrows by maintaining their winning run.
ZESCO United has thus far won their last three league games keeping the race between top and second alive.
Mumamba expects his charges to come to the party on Thursday by beating Green Eagles in their own backyard.
“This fixture adds more salt to the wound following the lose to them (Green Eagles) in the first league encounter and also in the Absa cup quarter finals through penalties. I think it is time to make amends by collecting maximum points in this match.
“We have a team that can do the job for us. The team has stabilized, and we are positive we can go there and get maximum points looking at the last few games we have played in the league.”
Mumamba has urged his side to remain steadfast, united and focused during the remainder of the 2021/22 league fixtures.
“We are telling our boys to work hard and to remain united as a team because we are at a crucial stage in the league. We need to work and fight for one another to defend the league title. I still believe we are on course to defend the title provided we win our games and leave everything to the end of the season.”
Meanwhile Mumamba says Green Eagles remains is among the formidable teams in the country.
“I think they (Green Eagles) are equally a formidable side that one can only rule out at their own peril. They are where they are because they are a good team. However, our aim is to make life difficult for them in this race by collecting maximum points so that we can create some breathing space for ourselves and focus on catching Red Arrows.
“It will be a very good advantage if we can collect three points which means we will be four points better than them giving us extra advantage. Then the race will be between us and Red Arrows.”
Mumamba has also confirmed the return of veteran club striker Winston Kalengo to full training after suffering an injury that ruled him out of the Absa Cup quarter finals.
“Kalengo is back in training while Vincent Oburu is still out. Oburu has at least four more weeks on the sidelines. The coming back of Kalengo is a major boost to the team. He is an important player due to his leadership which we need at this crucial stage of the league,” Mumamba concluded.
Author: Desmond Katongo
