Zanaco’s unbeaten run in the 2017 CAF Champions League will be put to the test on Saturday when they visit Wydad Casablanca in a match they must not lose if they are to make their debut quarterfinal appearance.
Mumamba Numba’s side lead Group D on 11 points,two more than their Moroccan hosts.
A draw will suffice for Zanaco with that result enough to see them finish in the top two regardless of whether Al Ahly join them on 12 points with a home win on Saturday over winless and bottom placed Cotonsport of Cameroon.
Wydad have 9 points, Al Ahly have 8 while Cotonsport are bottom on 0 points heading into the final Group D matches.
Zanaco defender and captain Ziyo Tembo said the one thing that has motivated them is that they are unbeaten in the group stages where they have also picked up a draw and win away.
“I think we have been in this situation before and we have surprised our opponents. We are going there to impose ourselves so that we can come out with a result,” Ziyo said.
“Every game comes with different challenges we are looking forward to playing Wydad. They are a big team, with a lot of experience.
“We are good in defending and have only conceded one goal in the group stage and I think we can manage to contain them.”
However, Zanaco have their work seemingly cut out for them in Casablanca where Wydad have won both their Group D home games defeating Cotonsport and Al Ahly by similar 2-0 scorelines.
Should Zanaco advance to the quarterfinals,they will become the second Zambian club to qualify from the group stage after Zesco United reached the semifinals in the 2016 edition of the competition.