Zesco united yesterday kept alive their chances of qualifying to the quarter finals of the 2018 CAF Champions League when they walloped Mbabane Swallows 3-0 all thanks to a Lazarous Kambole’s first half hat-trick.

Missing up to four key players owing to visa issues and injury, George Lwandamina had to do with what he had and he named a changed team that saw Anthony Akumu Agay and Solomon Sakala play in central defence while young Shemmy Mayembe filled in at right back.

Despite the changes, Zesco looked like they wanted it more and were attacking from the start and their hunger for goals and consequently victory were not in vain. It rained goals in first half and in the quickest intervals.

The goals came late in the first half after Lazarous Kambole benefited from two assists from Maybin Kalengo before he showed individual brilliance to complete his hat-trick in a space of 5 minutes between the 38th minute and 43rd minute.

Coach of the side Lwandamina said he was most satisfied when one of his players showed the hunger for goals saying it had triggered the need to win too. “His teammates saw how much he wanted to score goals and keep our CAF quarter finals alive. They made he was getting the ball more often and he did not disappoint them. We have a lot fans that support us and it is good their support was not in vain. Kambole is a good striker but it is also good recognize the assists he was shooting from,” Lwandamina said.

The coach also re-affirmed his commitment to staying on top of the table in the FAZ/MTN super league. He said he was feeling the pressure from other clubs in the top four and would strive to manage it well.

“A lot of pressure from the teams in the top four and I will also give them the same pressure. We need to win all games and keep the top spot. It can never be easy but it has to be done. We will juggle three major competitions ranging from super league, CAF and Barclay’s cup so we need to stay fighting,” said Lwandamina.